Expanding Food Access How to Use Link with Green City Market

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 or GCM West Loop. 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 matches your Link funds dollar-for-dollar up to $25 per household per market day. So, if you use $25 of Link funds, you automatically receive another $25 to spend at the market. 
• Additionally, through Link Up Illinois, Green City Market will match an additional $25 dollars per swipe (with unlimited swipes) to be used on fresh fruits and vegetables
• After running your card, we will provide you with tokens equal to the amount requested, plus up to $25 in additional tokens to spend at the market. We also provide you with up to $25 in Link Up Illinois vouchers.
• Spend tokens and vouchers 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.

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.