City Colleges of Chicago, Olive-Harvey College and the Greater Chicago Food Depository announce the grand opening of the newly designed Panther Market which serves students from 39 Chicago zips codes

CHICAGO – City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Olive-Harvey College (OHC) will gather together at 10am on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, to share the announcement and cut the ribbon on the newly designed market— the Panther Market which serves students from 39 zip codes across Chicago.

The redesigned market prioritizes food that supports health, especially fresh produce, protein, dairy, and staples that contribute to balanced meals as well as culturally diverse foods.

“Congratulations to Olive-Harvey College, City Colleges of Chicago, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository on the newly redesigned Panther Market,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Our students are balancing school, work, and responsibilities at home, and having access to fresh, healthy food right on campus can make a real difference for them and their families. That is also what we are working toward with our Market City strategy—recognizing that every community has different needs and supporting more ways for Chicagoans to access affordable, nutritious food where they are. The Panther Market is a great example of partners coming together to meet a need that students have right now.”

“The Panther Market is an investment in student success,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. “By offering a beautiful space where students can shop with pride, this initiative combats food insecurity and allows them to focus on their education rather than where their next meal will come from. Research makes it clear that food-insecure students are at a greater risk of missing class, falling behind, or leaving school. Food security is not only about nourishment, it’s also about dignity and stability which helps students stay focused on their education.”

As part of City Colleges of Chicago Food Security for Life initiative, the Panther 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.

“The market has been integral to my success for the past year and a half. Having it has made my life less stressful because I can get protein, eggs, milk, and produce – so much produce,” exclaimed Shaleeka Mosley, an Avalon Park resident, mom and student at Olive-Harvey College. “My daughter loves all fruits and vegetables which can be incredibly costly at the grocery store. The best part for me is seeing other students utilize it because I know they don’t have to pay for gas to go elsewhere or take the bus to a grocery store or food pantry on the way home from school. It’s all right here so they can focus on their studies.”

“By expanding and beautifying the Panther Market, we are providing a reliable foundation of dignity that keeps students enrolled and focused on their education,” said President Kimberly Hollingsworth, Olive-Harvey College. “This space is an investment that ripples outward, strengthening our student body, their families and the entire Chicago community.”

“No student should ever have to choose between pursuing an education or having enough food to eat,” said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “The opening of this beautiful new market at Olive-Harvey College is a moment to celebrate – and another step towards ensuring all students and their families have the food they need to thrive. When we work together to create lasting food security for City College students, we are making a critical investment in the future of this great city.”

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.

“Ending student hunger requires more than goodwill. It requires shared responsibility,” said the Executive Vice Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago and President of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Veronica Herrero. “The Panther Market reflects the impact of philanthropy and incredible stakeholders coming together with a clear purpose—together with our partners—our investment is one in persistence and better student outcomes.”

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; the Panther Market is the now the second market.

• Snacks to Go: Launched 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. To learn more about City Colleges of Chicago visit www.ccc.edu or call 773-COLLEGE.

Media contact: Veronica Resa, vresa1@ccc.edu

Photo credit: J. Augustyn

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.

Olive-Harvey College is a comprehensive community college located on the far Southeast Side of Chicago, situated on 67 acres of land. It serves over 6,300 students annually, offering certificates, degrees, Illinois High School Diploma (formerly GED), ESL, and continuing education. The OHC South Chicago Campus provides vocational and technical training, adult education courses, and prepares students for higher education and employment. The state-of-the-art Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Training Center of Excellence supports degrees and certificate programs in supply chain management, logistics, commercial truck driving, forklift operation, and automotive, diesel, and aviation maintenance and technology. Olive-Harvey College also offers the first cannabis vocational training program in Chicago.

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.

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.