Village Partnerships Address Food Security Through Local Agriculture

A partnership between Provision Market and Tulip Tree Gardens promises to bring fresh, locally-grown food to Monee’s most vulnerable residents, addressing food security through sustainable agriculture.

Since opening February 7, Provision Market has served 199 unique Monee households representing almost 500 individuals, with many returning regularly for a total of 796 household visits and 1,990 individual visits. Last week alone, they served 117 households representing nearly 280 individuals.

Tulip Tree Gardens, operated by first-generation farmers Jesse and Rachel Smedberg from nearby Beecher, specializes in local food aggregation. Through the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) grant program, they aggregated close to 300,000 pounds of local Illinois-grown food for distribution to food banks and pantries.

“We really truly believe that local nutrient-dense food needs to be accessible,” Rachel Smedberg told the board. The partnership aims to provide high-quality proteins, fresh produce, and herbs to replace the typical lower-quality staples often distributed to vulnerable populations.

The collaboration supports local farmers including Kevin and Molly Gorman from Monee, creating a full-circle system that strengthens both food security and the local agricultural economy.

Tulip Tree Gardens offers various program options, from $10 food boxes to comprehensive at-home delivery services for homebound seniors and disabled individuals. Their programming includes partnerships with Meals on Wheels, the National Guard, and several municipalities throughout Will County.

Market Director Darnice Cooper’s leadership has made the consistent weekly operations possible, demonstrating the real impact of community-based food assistance programs.

The partnership represents a growing trend toward locally-sourced food assistance that provides both nutritional and economic benefits to the community.