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We believe that everyone should have access to affordable, healthy food and that education is the key to improving individual and community wellness.
Market 309 expansion aims to address growing food insecurity in Peoria
News story from April 19, 2026. Read the full story here.
Streets Belong to Me hosts Polynesian luau event
Peoria Grown passed out fresh fruits to participants in the Streets Belong to me event in partnership with the Peoria Park District. Read the full story here.
What If We Gave Families the Power to Feed Themselves?
Every year, millions of dollars flow into programs designed to address food insecurity in communities like ours here in Peoria. Warehouses full of donated food. Distribution events. Canned goods and shelf-stable boxes were handed out with genuine care and good intentions. And while we are deeply grateful for the compassion behind those efforts, we have to ask ourselves an honest question: is this actually moving the needle? Is this truly what our families need? What if we rei
Transforming Peoria's Approach: From Hunger Relief to Nutritional Empowerment
By: Julie Eliathamby, Peoria Grown Founder In Peoria, the specter of hunger has transformed into a complex web of issues, notably...
Challenging Misconceptions and Overcoming Barriers to Foster Healthier Communities
By Julie Eliathamby, Founder of Peoria Grown --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...
Better Together: The Value of Partnerships with Community Organizations in Parks and Recreation
By Chris McGregor, Peoria Grown Board Member February 15, 2023 Parks enhance the lives of community members in many ways. As people...
Combatting food deserts and nutrition insecurity in Peoria County
By: Madelyn Norman April 18, 2023 Despite being home to numerous food banks and agricultural producers, Peoria County residents have...
Three Peoria organizations are finding ways to lead in the fight against food insecurity
(By Jody Holtz of WCBU) June 22, 2022 As food insecurity continues to affect many families across Peoria, local organizations are trying...
Is Peoria Grown a community garden?
By Chris McGregor, Board Member One of Peoria Grown's core programs is Market 309. These weekly pop-up markets sell low-cost fresh fruits...
Market 309 adds new location and hopes to continue expanding
(From Heart of Illinois ABC) - Maude Howard travels 8 blocks from her home in Peoria to the Logan Recreation Center to the every Sunday....
FRESH, AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY: BRADLEY’S MINI FARMERS’ MARKET
(From Bradley University) On Friday afternoons Olin Quad transforms into Bradley’s own version of a mini farmers’ market as student...
Peoria has tried to erase its food deserts. Here's why it hasn't worked
(From Peoria Journal Star) Sharon Mercer spent part of a winter Sunday shopping for produce for her extended family. This meant buying...
Peoria Grown not-for-profit brings fresh produce distribution hub to city's south side
(From Peoria Journal Star) For South Peoria residents like Dorotha Williams and Bobette Shrode, the opening of Market 309 fills a need...
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