City Colleges of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository announce the grand opening of Kennedy-King College’s Statesmen Market as part of their shared goal to end hunger for college students and their families

On February 3, 2026, City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and the Greater Chicago Food Depository announced the launch of Kennedy-King College’s Statesmen Market, a bold expansion of its former food pantry. The redesigned market reimagines its look and feel, prioritizing food that supports health, especially fresh produce, protein, dairy, and staples that contribute to balanced meals.

It reflects City Colleges’ commitment to support student success by ensuring reliable access to nutritious food. By allowing students to shop with dignity and pride in a beautiful space, the Kennedy-King College Statesmen Market helps remove food insecurity so students can focus on their education instead of worrying about their next meal.

“Food security is about nourishment—and it’s also about dignity, stability, and the opportunity to fully participate in learning and life,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. “Research makes it clear that 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.”

“Today is a significant milestone in our partnership to end hunger for all City Colleges students and their families,” said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “The Statesman Market at Kennedy-King shows what an on-campus food solution should be—centered on the needs of students and created with student voice. We look forward to working in partnership with City Colleges of Chicago to ensure hunger is no longer a barrier to success.”

As part of City Colleges of Chicago Food Security for Life initiative, the Kennedy-King College Statesmen Market is stocked with groceries, nutritionally balanced frozen meals-to-go and other necessities – from laundry detergent to light bulbs.

A 2024 survey of City Colleges student basic needs found that 50% of student respondents across the community college system identified as food insecure. At Kennedy-King College, 60% of student respondents self-identified as food insecure.

“Kennedy-King College students come with big aspirations, and hunger should never be a barrier to their success,” said Dr. Katonja Webb Walker, president of Kennedy-King College. “The Statesman Market helps students stay enrolled and focused by supporting their basic needs, and its expansion strengthens opportunities for our students, their families, and the city of Chicago as a whole.”

View the full announcement on YouTube

City Colleges and Greater Chicago Food Depository had previously partnered to open pantries at all colleges but recognized a need to do more. The expanding partnership reflects City Colleges’ commitment to meeting students’ basic needs and providing comprehensive student supports. For many students, especially those balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, access to a no cost reliable food source is critical to staying on track toward a degree or credential, and ultimately a sustaining-wage career.

“We are proud to provide the lead grant for the Food Security for Life initiative,” said Becky Knight, founder and executive chair of Knight Impact Partners. “We believe it will transform the experience for students, enabling them to achieve their goals. The dynamic partnership between City Colleges and the Greater Food Depository is impressive, as it reflects the power of Chicago institutions working together for post-secondary learning, opportunities, and pathways to success.”

“Ending student hunger requires more than goodwill. It requires sustained partnership and shared responsibility,” said the Executive Vice Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago and President of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Veronica Herrero. “The Statesmen Market reflects the impact of philanthropy and incredible stakeholders like Knight Partners, coming together with a clear purpose. Our investment is not only in food access—it’s an investment in persistence and better student outcomes.”

A special thank you to Knight Impact Partners for providing the lead contribution to support the rollout of the partnership throughout the next five years.

Food access that is offered throughout City Colleges of Chicago includes:

• Enhanced markets that offer expanded hours during the week and one weeknight; groceries and take-home meals to serve student households; the first expanded market is Kennedy-King College’s Statesmen Market

• Snacks to Go: Launched this fall at all seven colleges and open to any student, free snacks to fuel bodies and minds on campus

• Meals to Go: Take home meals now available at Malcolm X College, Kennedy-King College and Olive-Harvey College; with plans to grow to all seven colleges

• Expanded service to connect students with public benefits including SNAP, WIC and Medicaid
• Living wage apprenticeships for City Colleges students at the Greater Chicago Food Depository

For more information, including market hours or how to receive public benefits assistance, students should visit their Wellness Center and see posted hours for service.

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The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, believes a healthy community starts with food. The Food Depository partners with a network of 850 organizations and programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other partners, working to bring food and opportunity to our neighbors across Chicago and Cook County. The Food Depository addresses the root causes of hunger with job training, advocacy and other strategies that generate economic impact and access to thriving wages. The Food Depository is a proud member of Feeding America – the national network of food banks. Learn more at chicagosfoodbank.org.

City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility, empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger Chicago. Learn more about City Colleges of Chicago by visiting www.ccc.edu, click here or call 312-COLLEGE.

The City Colleges of Chicago Foundation supports students by funding scholarships, offering emergency support and programs that address basic needs, including food resources so that students can succeed academically and pursue their life goals. Public support of the foundation helps students achieve their academic and career goals.

Media Contacts:  Veronica Resa, City Colleges of Chicago, (e) vresa1@ccc.edu

Man-Yee Lee, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, (e) mlee@gcfd.org