Go Green Community Fresh Market opens in Englewood

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new Go Green Fresh Market has opened in Englewood, a welcome addition for residents who don't have many options for food shopping.

The hope is the new store at West 63rd and Racine will be a model for future stores in the city.

The shelves are fully stocked at the two-floor market, which is designed to keep the neighborhood corner store feeling. People who live near the new Go Green Fresh Market have been waiting eagerly for it.

"i've been bragging about this for months because it's something that I have seen the need for for years living in the neighborhood and now we finally have it. I'm just so happy," said Bryant Jones, Englewood resident.

Organizers broke ground on the new market nearly two years ago, saying this is progress toward food access and equity for Englewood residents.

The project is the work of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network, or IMAN, a non-profit, community-led organization.

"IMAN has been working around the issue of corner stores in Black and brown communities on the South and West sides of Chicago for the last 25 years," said Alia Bilal of IMAN. "We very early on had the vision to create an alternative business model in these neighborhoods."

Funding for the $5 million market came from a variety of sources, including several foundations and state agencies. The city of Chicago chipped in about $1.6 million as part of its Chicago Opportunity Fund.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot was on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony and said more work needs to be done to address food insecurity in other parts of the city.

"While I am ecstatic to be here, while we should continue to be celebrating, I think it is important to reflect on how much blood, sweat and tears it took to get to this moment," she said.

Officials with IMAN say Go Green's prices are affordable and that it's stocked with vegan, halal and gluten free options.