Austin Harvest, a market that began as a seasonal pop-up, celebrated its move to a permanent brick-and-mortar location on Tuesday. Chicago Public Schools students cut the ribbon on the new site, which is housed in a building that was once a liquor store.The idea for Austin Harvest emerged in 2020 after former Chicago Bears player Sam Acho met with young people in the Austin neighborhood in the wake of protests following Floyd’s murder.
Students launched Austin Harvest as a temporary solution to bring hope and healing to their community. However, after years of operating as a seasonal pop-up, they recognized the ongoing need, particularly for their elderly neighbors."The Austin community is a food desert.