‘The Hatchery’ food incubator is headed to a new home in Chicago’s East Garfield Park

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A non-profit food incubator known as The Hatchery is preparing to move forward in East Garfield Park on Chicago’s Near Northwest Side. Slated to occupy a vacant lot at the corner of Lake Street and Kedzie Avenue, the innovative 67,000-square-foot facility is designed to remove barriers that often hinder smaller food entrepreneurs as well as bring new economic opportunities to the neighborhood.

The Hatchery will house between 75 and 100 growing food entrepreneurs or “members” and provide other support services all under one roof. The building will offer affordable, food-grade spaces to rent including both shared kitchens and 56 private production areas. The project also features coworking and event spaces, mentoring programs, an expanded Garfield Park Neighborhood Market, and easier access to business loans.

The upcoming $30 million development is a joint venture of the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago and Accion Chicago. It will be funded through a variety of public and private sources including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) from the city and donations from food industry giants such as Conagra and Kellogg.

According to the Chicago Tribune, The Hatchery is looking to break ground on its new home in October or November and open its doors roughly one year later. The project will bring 150 new jobs to the East Garfield Park neighborhood in the first year and up to 900 jobs within five years, said city officials at a press conference this morning.

• The Hatchery plans $30M food incubator for East Garfield Park [Chicago Tribune]
• The Hatchery Chicago [official website]
• East Garfield Park archives [Curbed Chicago]