The Future of Farmers Markets

This project is part of the 2017 grant-awarded ERIF research “Designing Sustainable Systems Solutions”, led by Dr. Carlos Teixeira, associate professor at IIT Institute of Design, Dr. Weslynne Ashton, associate professor at IIT Stuart School of Business, and Andre Nogueira, PhD Candidate at IIT Institute of Design. The research is based on a partnership between IIT and Plant Chicago, and focuses on designing new strategies for sustainable systems solutions at the facility level.

In order to better understand the circular economy landscape of farmers’ markets in Chicago, Elizabeth Lyon, from Plant Chicago, and Andre Nogueira, conducted a research project considering related initiatives currently being employed at farmers’ markets across the city. Plant Chicago is a non-profit organization located on the south side of Chicago with a mission to cultivate local circular economies. This mission is carried out through education, research, and farmers market programming. Plant Chicago recently began working to develop collective activities with co-located businesses at The Plant, an industrial building located on the south side of Chicago that serves as a co-location and community building space for local food and beverage businesses.

To read the full report, click here.