Special congratulations to one of our cherished clients, Build Coffee, on being recognized by the City of Chicago as an essential part of their community, through nourishing food and a commitment to equity. Build Coffee is a coffee shop and bookstore in the Experimental Station on the South Side of Chicago. Surrounded by community-driven non-profits and civic journalism projects, Build is designed as a hub of great coffee and radical collaboration. They act as a small venue for performances, workshops, gallery shows, book groups, game nights, and more. They sell used books, local small press publications, journals, comics, art books, and zines. And they also run the Build Coffee Meal-Based Residency Program, a gallery show and residency aiming to nourish and sustain local art and artists.
News from the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP):
Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the grant awardees of the first round of the Good Food Fund Grant program. Forty-one Chicago food businesses were selected to receive a grant, fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
The goals of the Good Food Fund are to increase access to culturally relevant and nourishing food on the South and West sides, increase business ownership and jobs in the food industry, create stronger and more sustainable local food economies and increase local sourcing and supply of locally grown and regionally produced foods. The Good Food Fund programs, which are part of Mayor Johnson’s Road to Recovery Plan, were designed after intensive community engagement with the Food Equity Council and seek to help expand, enhance and restore the food industry using an equity and community-based approach. The second round of the Good Food Fund Grant application will launch on August 15, 2024.
“The Good Food Fund grant represents my commitment to equity and empowerment, ensuring every Chicagoan has access to fresh, local food,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Congratulations to all food business grant awardees—your dedication to uplifting our communities through culinary innovation sets a remarkable example for us all.”
To ensure an equitable grant award selection process for all, the Food Equity Council and Allies for Community Business (A4CB), in collaboration with the City, assisted in developing the criteria for the Round 1 of the grant program. The goal was to provide businesses, across the food ecosystem, in communities with inequitable food access with an opportunity to apply for and receive a grant ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Communities with inequitable access to food were determined using the Chicago Health Atlas.
“BACP is thrilled to collaborate with A4CB and the Food Equity Council on the Good Food Fund, a program designed to address food insecurity in underserved Chicago communities by providing customized food coaching, grants and access to low-interest loans,” said BACP Acting Commissioner Ivan Capifali. “By investing in initiatives that increase access to affordable food options, such as local growers, grocery stores and small food businesses, the City can empower its residents to make healthier choices and build more resilient communities.”
“Allies for Community Business believes that entrepreneurs from any background can start and grow businesses that create generational wealth for their families and communities,” said Brad McConnell, CEO of A4CB. “Through our partnership with the City and the Food Equity Council in administering the Good Food Fund and our joint venture partnership with ICNC at The Hatchery food incubator, we are excited to provide the grants, loans, coaching and kitchen space that entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses.”
Good Food Fund Grant Awardees:
- Back of the Yards Coffee
- Build Coffee
- Carniceria La Hacienda
- Carolyn’s Krisps
- Chicago Eats Market Place
- Chocolat Uzma
- Contemporary Farmer
- Dope Drip
- Fatso Hard Kitchen
- Give Me Some Sugah Bakery
- Herban Produce
- Jerk Soule
- Jibarito’s y Mas South Side
- Jus Sandwiches
- Kabob-it
- Ken Tone’s Drive-in
- Kilwins Chocolate Fudge and Ice Cream (Hyde Park)
- Kombuchade
- La Esperanza
- Let’s Eat to Live
- Los Candiles Restaurant
- Margaret’s Restaurant
- Nary’s Grill & Pizza
- Nicole’s Sandwich Shop
- Nuevo Leon Bakery
- Seafood Paradise on Jeffery
- Shinju Sushi Japanese Restaurant
- Spinzer Restaurant
- Sputnik Coffee Company
- Subway (Auburn Gresham)
- Subway (Calumet Heights)
- Supermercado Martin
- SydPlayEat
- Taquizas Y Banquetes El Siete
- Taste Bud 1 Inc
- Tatas Tacos
- Taylormade Que
- The Gilty Pig
- The Jibarito Stop
- The Tonk, Honky Tonk BBQ
- Ware Ranch Steak House
A second round of the Good Food Fund Grant is scheduled to launch on August 15, 2024. An informational webinar will take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. To register for the webinar, please visit Chicago.gov/BACPwebinars.
To apply for the grant when it goes live on August 15, 2024, visit a4cb.org/grants. Entrepreneurs seeking grant application assistance can contact A4CB by calling 872-710-0035 or by sending an email to help@a4cb.org.
Good Food Fund business coaching and low-interest loans are currently still available through Allies for Community Business. Interested food entrepreneurs can contact A4CB at 312-275-3000 or schedule a consultation with a Business Coach or Community Lender at a4cb.loanwell.com.
To learn more about Chicago’s Food Equity Council, please visit: Chicago.gov/ChicagoFoodEquityCouncil.
Questions regarding Round 1 of the Good Food Fund can be directed to Allies for Community Business at help@a4cb.org.