Nonprofit's First Giving Tuesday Campaign Could Lead To A New Farmers Market

BATAVIA, IL — The Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley, a nonprofit based in Batavia committed to building sustainable and just food systems, has big plans for its inaugural Giving Tuesday campaign. Using the majority of its donations, the group wants to start a farmers market in southeast Aurora as soon as next summer, organizers told Patch.

"[It's] essentially a food desert populated by minorities, and we feel that they should have access to healthy, fresh food, the same as everybody else," said Kathy Balcazar, coordinator of projects, press and philanthropy.

Starting 13 years ago, the organization focuses on making sure people in the Fox River Valley have access to and know about healthy food, which to the nonprofit means consuming organic produce and food that isn't laden with pesticides. Part of its mission also entails educating people on how to grow their own food, how to properly to can or dehydrate produce, and about the transparency of an organic label.

"Just because you're buying a product that has the organic label on it doesn't necessarily mean that you think you're getting the product that you're getting," she said.

Giving Tuesday — described by the namesake nonprofit as a movement to celebrate "shared humanity and generosity" — is still a week away, and The Just Food Initiative has already collected about $500 in donations through various efforts, including sending about 175 letters to people who have shown interest in The Just Food Initiative, Balcazar said.

"We feel like it's going pretty well, but we're also hopeful that more dollars will come in," Balcazar said.

The Just Food Initiative set a goal to receive donations from 25 people or organizations, and as of Nov. 20, they've received 11 donations, according to Balcazar.

As the money continues to roll in, it'll allow the organization to pinpoint exactly what the farmers market will look like and how long it'll last over the summer. Ahead of it, The Just Food Initiative already has a certified farmers market manager on its staff and is beginning to secure vendors.

"It could literally be a one-day market; it could be a six-day market over the summer," Balcazar said, adding the nonprofit is determined to have at least one day for the market. "We're not quite sure yet."

The proposed market won't look like other farmers markets, either. Balcazar said one plan is to offer a bus service to help bring people to the market who might not have other transportation options. Organizers also plan to host educational presentations to promote healthy eating and offer double-dollar programs.

"We don't want to leave anybody out," she said. "We need to meet them where they're at and make sure that they know about the market."

For Giving Tuesday, happening Nov. 30, checks with unrestricted, tax-deductible donations can be sent to The Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley, 1911 W. Wilson St., PMB 299, Batavia, IL 60510. Electronic donations can also be sent via Zelle at donate2JFI@gmail.com. Those who donate $50 or more are also eligible to receive a custom 2022 Just Food calendar.

"We do not waste the money that is donated to us," Balcazar said. "Anybody who donates to Just Food on Giving Tuesday will see their dollars put to work in their own community, and we're excited to make positive things happen for the Fox Valley."

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