“Covid kind of changed a lot of how people were looking at the food system,” said Ouding. Ultimately, she envisions a future where spaces like hers can serve as a lifeline in every neighborhood with a system that’s able to function year-round and doesn’t have to rely on seasonality for fresh food and produce. The land price has doubled in appraised value, but Ouding is confident the deal will be done soon. What started out as an $8 million project may wind up being $2 million more, she told Block Club.
The boost in visibility for Food Matters has helped generate interest in her project on social media as well, Ouding added. She’s also received a grant from the Chicago Community Loan Fund and help from Chicago TREND, an entity created to boost economic development. Pat Dowell (3rd) and Elevated Chicago to Hanna Architects, who’ve signed on to the project. Because this is a pilot project and it’s in conjunction with the city, we’re really getting a lot of publicity in that this is out here for people to see,” said Ouding, who moved to Chicago from Michigan in 2008.Ī post shared by Food Matters already has amassed substantial support from the public and private sector, including from Ald. “It’s big on the predevelopment side as far as helping with some of those things.
Ouding is still working on buying the city-owned property, but the $15,000 grant will help with marketing, and allow her to hire consultants to help her seek out prospective customers or vendors. 43rd Street, envisions a year-round indoor farmer’s market, shared commercial kitchens and a community gathering space all premised around improving nutrition and food access. The pandemic has slowed down her progress, but last week she found out her project, Food Matters, was receiving $15,000 from a city program designed to support healthy communities near public transit.įood Matters, planned near the Green Line at 435 E. GRAND BOULEVARD - Laurie Ouding, a pediatric nurse, has been on a mission to build a food hall in Bronzeville for several years, investing $50,000 of her own money to create a space for the community.
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