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Retiring for Personal Reasons After Four-Year Tenure
In a surprise development, Green City Market Executive Director Mandy Moody is stepping down as of November 15. An email announcement by the Green City Board of Directors said personal reasons prompted her decision.
"While we are saddened to see her step down, we fully support her decision to focus on her well-being and family as Green City Market upholds the values of nourishment and sustainability, not just for our food systems, but for the people within them," wrote Green City Board Chair Mitch Weinstein.
His memo hailed Mandy's accomplishments: "Over the past five years, Mandy has led our organization with unparalleled dedication, guiding us through significant growth, challenges, and remarkable achievements... Mandy leaves behind a legacy of progress that has transformed GCM into a stronger, more resilient organization. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition as we continue to build on the incredible work she has done."
Mandy Moody was an experienced fundraiser for non-profit organizations when she joined Chicago's premier farmers market organization as its director of development in June 2019. She became interim executive director, filling a vacancy, in November 2020, and was made permanent in that role two months later.
In that role, she steered the market through the end of the COVID crisis. She and the market staff cultivated the upsurge in interest in locally produced food caused in part by the grocery supply chain breakdowns during the pandemic.
As a result, Green City's flagship outdoor Saturday market in Lincoln Park has enjoyed record attendance in each of the past four seasons. The organization also holds a Wednesday market in the Lincoln Park space and has a satellite market on Saturdays in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.
The Chef BBQ, Green City's biggest annual fundraising event, has also grown in popularity over Mandy's tenure.
Local Food Forum enjoyed working with Mandy and wishes her much happiness going forward. The market board will certainly be acting expeditiously to choose a new executive director, as Green City — unlike most area farmers markets — extends its outdoor market season to just before Thanksgiving, then segues to an indoor winter market in the Avondale neighborhood on December 7.
We will keep you posted on developments.
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