Experimental Station

🥕🍓 Ever wonder what’s in season—and why? 🌿

Slide through to see what’s in season! 🍅 Here are some fun facts about how seasons, soil, and climate shape when your favorite fruits and veggies appear—and how they taste.

Higher temperatures mean more variety becomes available. Weather affects not only when items arrive but also how they taste. Strawberries, for example, are sweetest when hot days are followed by cool nights. Carrots and other root crops taste best in the fall and winter, when their sugars concentrate in their roots.

Our seasons were once predictable, but as the climate changes and temperature extremes become more common, we’re seeing unexpected early crops—zucchini and cherries in mid-June, anyone?—or devastating losses, like peaches wiped out by early frosts in recent years.

When you peel back the layers of seasonality—the factors and conditions that determine your favorite foods’ local availability—you begin to understand how farmers work year-round to bring the freshest produce close to you.

✨ Join us tomorrow to support local farmers at the 61st Street Farmers Market! Saturdays, 9 AM–2 PM, at 6100 S. Blackstone Ave.

See you at the market! 🌿🥕🍓

💛 2025 Wrapped: Link Up Illinois

We’re proud to share the impact of our work in 2025—$2.2M+ in Link Match redeemed statewide, helping tens of thousands of SNAP shoppers access fresh fruits and vegetables each week.

This impact would not be possible without the dedication of farmers market managers and their teams across Illinois, as well as the grocery stores and co-ops who make Link Match work every day on the ground.

Together, we’re strengthening local food systems, supporting farmers and local businesses, and making healthy food more accessible for families across the state. 🌱

Thank you for being part of this work.

👉 Learn more about Link Match and find a participating location at the link in our bio.

Blackstone Bicycle Works’ 2026 Summer Camp for youth Ages: 14–18!

Youth will:
1️⃣ Learn hands-on bike mechanics and repair skills
2️⃣ Participate in group rides, STEAM activities, field trips, and food education
3️⃣ Gain real-world experience while working alongside professional bike mechanics

Participants who complete the program will earn their own bike and receive a $200 stipend, with opportunities for future paid internships, apprenticeships, externships, and scholarships.

📅 Summer Sessions:
Session #1: June 15 – June 26
Session #2: July 6 – July 17
Session #3: July 27 – August 7

🕘 Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Spots are limited to 15 participants per session, with priority given to South Side youth.

Blackstone Bicycle Works (B*W) is a free after-school and summer youth program of Experimental Station that empowers youth from under-resourced communities on Chicago’s South Side through bicycle mechanics, advocacy, cycling, and workforce development. 🚴‍♂️

🎟️ FAB Night is coming—don’t miss it!

FAB Night brings together leaders in food justice, bicycle advocacy, and the arts for an evening of conversation, connection, and community. Join us for this special night celebrating the intersections of food, art, and bikes—and the people shaping these movements across Chicago.

✨ Meet our incredible host and speakers:
• Jamie Kalven — Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist & founder of Invisible Institute
(Host)
• Greg Wade — James Beard–winning baker,
• Lional “Brother El” Freeman — Composer, multidisciplinary creative & DJ
• Dave Simmons — Executive Director,
• Ben Jaffe — Co-owner of Earthlore Farm and Chapter Coordinator, Northern Illinois Young Farmers Coalition
• Danielle McKinnie — & Southside Critical Mass

Enjoy a curated three-course meal by award-winning chef Constance Simms-Kincaid, and hear stories and insights from leaders advancing food justice, biking, and culture in our city.

Why attend?
Your support helps advance food access, youth opportunities, and arts and community enrichment through the 61st Street Farmers Market, Link Up Illinois, Blackstone Bicycle Works, cultural events, and independent journalism.

📅 April 30 | 6–9 PM
📍 Experimental Station
🎟️ Tickets available now — link in bio.
www.expstation.org/fabnight

Don’t Need a Reason 🎶

An Artists Jam/Expo by returns to Experimental Station on March 5, 7–10PM.

Join us for Soul. Hip-hop. R&B, and honest conversation about what it takes to keep creating with integrity and confidence.

✨ DJ sets
🎶 Live band
🎤 Artist performances
💬 Honest dialogue

Featuring: • TT & Luca • • Carlon Rosales • •

Come experience music without apology—and the stories behind it.

🎟 Free & open to the public
🥤 Refreshments provided

ArtistsJam

The 2026 Link Match grant is open! Apply by March 1st to be included in promotional materials, however we accept applications at any time of the year.

With Link Match, SNAP shoppers receive $1 for fresh fruits and vegetables with every $1 they spend. That's twice as much food sold by you / your vendors and twice the healthy foods going into your community. This application is open to farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets, CSAs and delivery services with FNS authorization. For assistance obtaining FNS, visit marketlink.org. They are the experts at helping markets obtain FNS authorization and can get you free equipment and software for 1 year.

Beyond the grant, our team provides the fundamental tools you need including: training, data organization, promotional materials and marketing assistance to help you bring Link Match to your community.

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions!