Store Hours: 8am-9pm, Monday - Sunday
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Locally owned - Where EVERYONE can shop!
LINK MATCH IS BACK!
THE CO-OP WAS ISSUED A NEW GRANT STARTING MARCH 18, 2022!
Things will be a little different this year. How the program works will remain the same, however coupons will have different expiration dates. Look for future announcements about the program on our website,
in-store, and Facebook.
Get the facts
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You don't have to sign up or give out any personal information.
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Anyone with a Link card can participate.
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Redeem coupons in the same shopping trip or bring them back later!
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The more coupons that customers redeem the more grant money we receive!
The amount of coupons available represents the amount of grant money allocated to the Co-op.
How distribution of coupons works
How we determine the number of coupons we distribute to customers is based on a grant that is allocated to the Co-op. Each coupon is valued at $1. If we receive $12,000 in grant money, we can give out 12,000 coupons. Once all coupons have been distributed, we are unable to give out more coupons until we receive more grant money. This is why it is important for customers to use the coupons sooner rather than later. We will qualify for more grant money based on the redemption rate of the original grant.
For 2022 we change the length of how long a Link Match coupon is valid. In the past a customer would receive coupons and be able to use those coupons throughout the year. This year, we are shortening the time that a coupon is valid. This helps us monitor coupons that were handed out, but not redeemed. Once a coupon expires, we will reissue a new set of coupons with the remaining available grant. The new coupons will have a new color so that we can identify the new expiration date. See below for dates
First round of coupons will be available for use from March 18 through June 30, 2022
Second round of coupons will be available July 1 through September 30, 2022.
Final round of coupons will be available October 1 through December 31, 2022
Read more about the program or to learn about participating markets and stores, click the following English or Spanish.
More about the program
Neighborhood Co-op Grocery is excited to participate in the Link Match incentive program, which allows low-resource individuals and families an opportunity to increase their buying power. We are always looking for ways to make shopping at the Co-op more affordable and inclusive of the whole community. By partnering with Experimental Station, we are able to participate in the Link Match program that helps more people gain access to healthy local produce and helps more local farmers strengthen their businesses.
With generous support from the USDA's Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Program and from other corporate, city and private funding sources, Experimental Station’s Link Up Illinois program enables Illinois farmers markets, farm stands, co-ops and grocery stores to double the value of purchases for shoppers using their Link cards, giving customers greater buying power towards fresh, locally produced foods.
Experimental Station works with local organizations, such as the Co-op, to draw awareness, educate, and launch programs like Link Match to allow low-income families greater accessibility for healthier options. Not only does Link Match create opportunities for more affordable nutritious foods, but it also rebuilds linkages between local agricultural producers and consumers. Experimental Station also provides participating markets with training and technical assistance for implementing these programs successfully.
For more information about Link Up Illinois, please visit the website at http://experimentalstation.org/linkup‐overview
