City Colleges, Greater Chicago Food Depository Open Expanded Food Market at Kennedy-King College (Chicago, IL) – City Colleges of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository have announced the grand opening of the Kennedy-King College Statesmen Market, an expanded, reimagined campus food resource designed to address food insecurity among college students and their families.
The Statesmen Market replaces the college’s former food pantry with a redesigned space that emphasizes dignity, choice, and access to nutritious food. The market offers fresh produce, protein, dairy, and pantry staples aimed at supporting balanced meals, along with frozen meals-to-go and basic household necessities such as laundry detergent and light bulbs.
College leaders say the initiative reflects a broader commitment to student success by removing barriers that can interfere with education.
“Food security is about nourishment—and it’s also about dignity, stability, and the opportunity to fully participate in learning and life,” said City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado. “Students facing food insecurity are at greater risk of missing class, falling behind, or leaving school. Ensuring access to healthy food is a powerful investment in student success and the future health of our communities.”
The market is part of City Colleges’ Food Security for Life initiative, developed in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Kate Maehr, the Depository’s executive director and CEO, called the opening a milestone in efforts to eliminate hunger among City Colleges students.
“The Statesmen Market at Kennedy-King shows what an on-campus food solution should be—centered on the needs of students and created with student voice,” Maehr said. “We look forward to working in partnership with City Colleges of Chicago to ensure hunger is no longer a barrier to success.”
The need is significant. A 2024 City Colleges survey found that 50 percent of student respondents across the system identified as food insecure. At Kennedy-King College, that number rose to 60 percent.
“Kennedy-King College students come with big aspirations, and hunger should never be a barrier to their success,” said Kennedy-King College President Dr. Katonja Webb Walker. “The Statesmen Market helps students stay enrolled and focused by supporting their basic needs.”
City Colleges and the Greater Chicago Food Depository previously partnered to establish food pantries at all seven City Colleges campuses, but officials said expanded services were needed. The new model offers longer hours, a wider selection of groceries, and additional support services.
The initiative is supported by philanthropy, including a lead grant from Knight Impact Partners. Founder and Executive Chair Becky Knight said the partnership has the potential to transform students’ experiences.
“We believe it will enable students to achieve their goals,” Knight said. “This partnership reflects the power of Chicago institutions working together to create pathways to success.”
Veronica Herrero, executive vice chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago and president of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation, said the market represents an investment in student persistence and outcomes.
“Ending student hunger requires sustained partnership and shared responsibility,” Herrero said. “Our investment is not only in food access—it’s an investment in better student outcomes.”
In addition to the Statesmen Market, City Colleges’ food access efforts include free “Snacks to Go” at all seven colleges, take-home “Meals to Go” at select campuses with plans to expand systemwide, assistance connecting students to public benefits such as SNAP and WIC, and living-wage apprenticeships for students at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Students seeking more information about market hours or public benefits assistance are encouraged to visit their campus Wellness Center.
City Colleges, Greater Chicago Food Depository Open Expanded Food Market at Kennedy-King College
