The City of Chicago announced on August 28, 2026 a one‑time Neighborhood Market Grant Program that will provide up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses and farmers markets operating in low‑food‑access neighborhoods on the city’s South and West sides. The grants are intended to help fill the retail gap left by the recent shutdown of seven Save A Lot grocery stores in those areas.
The grant program targets enterprises that can increase the availability of fresh and affordable food in neighborhoods that have experienced reduced grocery options. Eligible applicants include independent retailers, corner stores, and farmers market organizers that serve the identified low‑access zones. Each approved project may receive a maximum award of $10,000, with the city emphasizing that the funding is a single, one‑time allocation.
The closure of the seven Save A Lot locations occurred a month before the grant announcement, creating immediate concerns about food security for residents who relied on those stores for everyday purchases. City officials described the grants as a rapid response to mitigate the impact of those closures and to support local entrepreneurs willing to expand food offerings.
The Neighborhood Market Grant Program is part of a broader municipal effort to sustain and improve food access across Chicago’s South and West sides. Applications are being accepted according to guidelines released by the city, and award decisions will be made in the weeks following the submission deadline. The program reflects the city’s commitment to address food‑access disparities through targeted financial assistance to community‑based businesses.