Expanding Food Access How to Use SNAP benefits at Green City Market

We're dedicated to expanding access to nutritious, local, sustainably-produced food — that's why we welcome and triple match Link (also known as SNAP or EBT) up to $25. When shoppers with Link spend $25 of benefits at Green City Market, they receive $75 in Link vouchers or tokens to spend at the market like cash. Of this $75, $50 will be given in GCM For All vouchers or tokens that may be used on any SNAP eligible item. The remaining $25 will be given in LinkUp Illinois vouchers that are restricted to fruits and vegetables only.

Additionally, after the initial $25 triple match, GCM will continue to double match, dollar-for-dollar, with no limit. This means that for every dollar spent beyond the initial $25, you will receive $1 in GCM For All vouchers or tokens and $1 in Link Up Illinois vouchers.

Learn more about what you can buy with GCM for All Link tokens and Link Up Illinois vouchers, how to use Link at our markets, and how to use WIC or Senior Farmers' Market Checks with GCM's vendors.

What can I buy with Link?

Using your Link card and GCM for All tokens, you may purchase any food items permitted by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These include fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy, meats, eggs, grains, jams, sauces, and edible plants. These exclude prepared food items intended to be consumed at the market, such as coffee, hot sandwiches, smoothies, etc.

With your additional Link Up Illinois vouchers, you may purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you’re ever unsure of what’s permitted, head over to the GCM Info Booth to speak with a team member or email us at admin@greencitymarket.org.

SNAP-Eligible Food Items

HOW DO I USE MY LINK CARD AT the MARKET?

Stop by the Info Booth at GCM Lincoln Park, GCM West Loop, or GCM Avondale. Let a team member know that you would like to use your Link card and how much you would like to charge.

Green City Market triple matches Link funds up to $25 per household per market day. So, if you spend $25 of Link benefits, you will receive $75 in Link vouchers or tokens to spend.

Of this $75, $50 will be given in GCM For All vouchers or tokens to spend on any SNAP-eligible items. The remaining $25 will be given in Link Up Illinois vouchers that are restricted to fruits and vegetables only.

After the initial $25 triple match, GCM offers unlimited dollar-for-dollar matching. For every dollar spent beyond the initial $25, you will receive $1 in GCM For All vouchers or tokens to spend on all SNAP eligible items and $1 in Link Up Illinois vouchers to be spent on fruits and vegetables.

Spend vouchers and tokens at the market like cash!

Please note, our vendors cannot provide change for tokens. If you need smaller denominations of tokens, return to the Info Booth. Tokens do not expire and are valid at any Green City Market location during market hours.

Please also note that formerly GCM has used tokens for this program. To keep up with the growth in demand for this program, GCM has switched to paper vouchers. Tokens that had previously been distributed may still be used and are still available upon request at the info booth.

Plan Your Visit

DO YOU ACCEPT WIC OR SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET CHECKS?

Green City Market cannot exchange checks from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) or the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) for Green City Market tokens.

However, some of Green City Market’s vendors can accept WIC or Senior Farmers’ Market checks. Please see here for a list of vendors that accept WIC or Senior Farmers’ Market checks at GCM Lincoln Park.

If you’re ever unsure of how you can use your benefits at Green City Market, head over to the GCM Info Booth to speak with a team member or email us at admin@greencitymarket.org.