Chicago is moving forward with plans to establish a network of indoor, year-round public markets aimed at improving food access and supporting local businesses. Mayor Brandon Johnson signed a Market City executive order on October 22, 2026, setting a framework to expand food markets across the city.
The initiative seeks to address persistent food insecurity, particularly in neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West Sides, while creating new opportunities for farmers, food entrepreneurs, and independent vendors.
The executive order establishes a steering committee composed of city department representatives and community members. The committee will oversee implementation of the Market City Action Plan and help translate its objectives into specific projects.
The strategy was developed over the past year in collaboration with the Chicago Food Equity Council, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, residents, farmers, entrepreneurs, and market operators.
The Market City initiative represents a shift from earlier proposals focused on establishing a single city-supported grocery store.
In 2023, Chicago officials explored opening a city-owned grocery store to address limited access to affordable food. By 2025, the concept had evolved toward a public marketplace offering essential groceries alongside space for local farmers and independent food sellers.
The latest plan expands that approach into a coordinated citywide network of farmers markets, indoor public markets operating throughout the year, neighborhood food hubs, and other community-based food distribution models.
Rather than concentrating resources in one location, the city aims to develop multiple access points that can serve different neighborhoods and operate according to local needs.
The approach could also create opportunities for small food businesses by providing affordable spaces to sell products and connect with customers.
However, coordinating a network of markets will require ongoing management and cooperation among city agencies, community organizations, and vendors. The newly established steering committee is expected to play a central role in that process.
The initiative comes amid significant disparities in food access across Chicago.
According to a 2026 report from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, prepared in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago, more than one-third of Chicago households experience food insecurity.
The findings were based on a June survey of 1,200 residents and revealed substantial differences between neighborhoods.
Households experiencing food insecurity by Chicago region
0%15%30%45%60%South SideWest SideSouthwest SideNorthwest SideNorth Side
Source: Greater Chicago Food Depository, 2026 report; figures supplied in the original article.
The South Side recorded the highest rate at 51%, followed by the West Side at 45% and the Southwest Side at 41%.
By comparison, food insecurity affected 27% of households on the Northwest Side and 20% on the North Side.
These disparities highlight the challenges facing communities where grocery stores have closed, and residents have fewer convenient options for purchasing affordable food.
Chicago has already introduced temporary measures to address some of these problems. Following the closure of seven Save A Lot grocery stores on the South and West Sides, the city arranged free grocery transportation for seniors.
The Market City initiative is intended to provide a more permanent approach by strengthening neighborhood food infrastructure.
Chicago’s proposed market network will build on farmers markets already operating throughout the city.
Under existing municipal regulations, independent farmers markets can register with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events without paying a registration fee.
Markets requiring street closures, curbside parking arrangements, tents larger than 400 square feet, or stages exceeding two feet in height must obtain special event permits.
By incorporating existing markets into the new strategy, Chicago could provide additional support to farmers and small food businesses without waiting for new indoor facilities to be constructed.
Local vendors may benefit from improved coordination, expanded market opportunities and stronger connections with customers in underserved neighborhoods.
The initiative also aims to encourage food entrepreneurship by making it easier for smaller businesses to participate in local food distribution.
Although the executive order establishes the organizational framework for the Market City initiative, several important details remain unresolved.
Chicago officials have not announced specific locations for the proposed indoor public markets, identified potential operators, or disclosed how much public funding will be allocated to the program.
The steering committee’s recommendations are expected to help determine whether the city initially prioritizes constructing new marketplaces or expanding support for existing farmers markets and neighborhood food hubs.
The decisions will be particularly important for communities on the South and West Sides, where food insecurity remains significantly higher than in other parts of Chicago.
The initiative represents a broader effort to improve access to affordable groceries while strengthening the city’s local food economy.
Its long-term success will depend on securing funding, coordinating market operations, and ensuring that new food access points reach neighborhoods with the greatest need.
For now, the October 22 executive order marks the beginning of Chicago’s effort to transform its food distribution system through a connected network of public markets and community-based businesses.