WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

Illinois saw an increase in the number of farmers markets accepting food stamps.Financially, that translated into a 112-percent increase in food stamp redemptions.The Midwest did better than any other region this year when it came to food stamp usage at farmers markets.Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota,

First Lady Michelle Obama returned to her native South Side Chicago on Tuesday to promote her initiatives on healthy eating for children as well as her quest to eliminate food deserts.Obama stopped by a refashioned Walgreens on 75th and State Street.

There’s a novel solution bringing relief to food deserts on Chicago’s West Side.Sparing the expense of building a bricks and mortar grocery, a group has transformed a decommissioned CTA bus into a mobile, one-aisle produce mart.

As the summer season begins, Chicago farmers markets are finding new ways to lure shoppers to their produce and fresh products. This year more Chicago farmers markets than ever are accepting food stamps.That means more low-income households can buy nourishing food.

A top U.S. Department of Agriculture official visited a Chicago high school on Thursday to promote healthier school lunches and eat a winning entry in a student cooking contest. Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Janey Thornton met students from Richards Career Academy.