Chicago’s Inclusive

Economic Powerhouse

Attention!

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About Us

The Street Vendors Association of Chicago (SVAC) fights for an inclusive economy by organizing street vendors to build political and economic power without fear of police harassment, excessive fines, and discrimination. Subsequently, SVAC led the campaign to push Chicago’s City Council to legalize street vending in 2015. SVAC played a crucial role in the passing of the Limited Worker Cooperative Association Act, which enables worker-owned cooperatives to register as business organization in Illinois. SVAC provides a sustainable model and structures for an equitable economy and development in communities experiencing racial wealth divides and active disinvestment.

Mission

The mission of this organization is to carry out a network of food vendors in order to improve the quality of life as street vendors by providing resources and opportunities for food and employment sovereignty to increase social equity.  

Vision

Our vision is to maintain the right and justice of street food vendors, lobbying for laws which improve the rights of minority commerce. Building infrastructure services which enable members have a better quality of life, creating and promoting self-employment and productive development; such as well improving health benefits.

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Chicago Food Carts

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SVAC Members

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Partnerships

SVAC Members Meetings Every Wednesday at 11am.

Requirements to

Obtain Street Vendor Training

Mobile Food Vehicle Assesment
Checklist
  • City of Chicago Certificate

    A valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate

  • Proof of Liability Insurance

    Proof of Liability Insurance (minimum coverage $1 million) with Street Vendors Shared Kitchen listed as additional insured.

  • Operating Agreement

    A signed operating agreement with Street Vendor Shared Kitchen (SVAC)

  • Kitchen User License

    A Valid Shared Kitchen User license for your business (short or long term) from the City of Chicago

In the News

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“Queremos solicitar más atención a la policía para la protección de los vendedores ambulantes”
Dec 27, 2022
"Vendedores ambulantes junto al concejal del distrito 25 Byron Sigcho-Lopez, se han reunido para exigir a la alcaldesa Lori Lightfoot que incremente ...
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Rueda de prensa
Dec 13, 2022
La Asociación de Vendedores Ambulantes, convoca a la concentración y rueda de prensa por la seguridad. Diciembre 16, 2022 11:30am S Albany ...
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ATENCION VENDEDORES
ATENCION VENDEDORES AMBULANTES
Oct 15, 2022
La Asociación de Vendedores Ambulantes de Chicago te invita a su reunión este Miércoles 19 de Octubre a las 10:30 am en la ...
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TAMALES, FRESH CUT FRUIT & MORE Providing FREE Meals & Nutrition Resources to Suburban areas of Chicago!
Sep 27, 2022
TAMALES, FRESH CUT FRUIT & MORE Providing FREE Meals & Nutrition Resources to Suburban areas of Chicago! If you are interested send email ...
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OVER $1.5 MILLION AWARDED BY THE CHICAGO REGION FOOD SYSTEM FUND TO 48 GRANTEES
Jul 19, 2022
Español abajo ⬇︎ ***Grants Build on Community Assets Fundamental to Chicago's Food System*** (Chicago, IL – July 18, 2022) The Chicago Region ...
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Juan Jose Gama Garcia Street Vendor Association Gage Park 072021 C2N
How a Shared Kitchen is Helping a Community of Street Vendors Build Its Future
Jul 22, 2021
Joanna Hernandez | wttw   Juan Jose Gama Garcia has been a street vendor in Chicago for 23 years. He sells everything ...
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“Interested in having tamales delivered to your home? Take our survey so we can get started”
Jul 14, 2021
Click here to go to the survey!
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Screen Shot 2020 08 24 at 9.03.53 PM
Street Vendors Association of Chicago (SVAC) is awarded the Lynda J. Tipton Memorial Award for Social Justice
Aug 24, 2020
Congrats to the Street Vendors Association of Chicago (SVAC), awardees of the Crossroads Fund Lynda J. Tipton Memorial Award for Social Justice ...
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workerscoop
Illinois 14th State to Legally Recognize Worker Cooperatives
Oct 22, 2019
New statute will make it easier to launch and grow worker coops by Karen Kahn Illinois Coalition for Cooperative Advancement celebrates passage ...
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kitchen
What is the Future of Food Policy in Chicago?
Aug 9, 2019
Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot campaigned on a promise to “Bring in the Light,” positioning herself as a progressive candidate who would uplift all ...
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carmen nava
Operar un carrito de tamales con todas las de la ley ha sido un logro, aunque nada sencillo – HOY
Aug 9, 2019
Carmen Nava es la primera persona de una cocina comunitaria en ser certificada para vender comida caliente en un carrito ambulante. Operar ...
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plate and cutlery
Abren cocina compartida para vendedores ambulantes – TELEMUNDO
Dec 31, 2017
Para poder cumplir con los requisitos y obtener una licencia de la ciudad. VER VIDEO
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vendor with cucumber
Vendedores ambulantes abren cocina para seguir nuevos reglamentos – HOY
Dec 31, 2017
Decenas de vendedores ambulantes de Chicago establecieron una cocina comercial cerca de La Villita con el propósito de cumplir con los requisitos ...
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Get Involved

Volunteers

What is a volunteer?

Being a volunteer is someone who donates their time and helps others in various projects, for example in a Cooperative, Organization, Churches or Community Centers.

Our Cooperative (SVAC) welcomes volunteers to:

  • KITCHEN ASSISTANT
  • FOOD DISTRIBUTOR
  • CLEANING ASSISTANT
  • ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
  • GIVE WORKSHOPS OF VARIOUS SUBJECTS

Also, if you want to learn about cooperatives and other workshops you can join us at SVAC.

Be a SVAC volunteer and help build a future for yourself, your family and community.

Donations

Do you want to donate to SVAC? Donations are welcomed and create projects for Chicago vendors sustaining work alternatives, entrepreneurship, as well as contributing to the growth of the community.

Your donations help our members and families create their own businesses or form cooperatives with the community in different branches.

In 2019 the law of cooperatives in the State of Illinois was approved, promoted by cooperative community organizations and SVAC, entering into force on January 1, 2020. Your donation will be of great help to continue promoting cooperatives such as SVAC and other micro-enterprises.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION THAT WILL CONTINUE CHANGING LIVES! JOIN THIS CHANGE!

Donate Now

Grant Writers

What are grant writers?

A grant is an economic fund that is received from foundations and written by a grant writer, who is a qualified person to apply for the funds.

The grant writing is important to us in obtaining the necessary financial funds for SVAC. The expertise and good judgment in grant writing will ensure that we obtain these economic subsidies to help us sustain and continue to create projects such as cooperatives or micro-businesses between street vendors and the community.

Partnerships

ccwr
institute for justice
little villiage community foundation
universidad popular

Governing Board

Augusto Aquino

President

Juan Gama

Vice President

Ana Galindo

Secretary

Ines Abarca

Treasurer

Salvador Salas

Board Member

Luis Melendes

Board Member

Pascuala Santa Maria

Board Member

Sonia Ruiz

Board Member

Natividad Rodriguez

Board Member

Contact Us

3654 W 16th st. Chicago, IL 60623

10AM – 5PM Monday – Friday

773-653-3664

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