African Americans have the highest rates of diet-based illnesses, like diabetes, heart disease and high-blood pressure. Blacks in low-income urban areas are at an even greater disadvantage as access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods are more scarce. But there are affordable ways to clean up your diet, even in the 'hood, and our latest EBONY.com series, "Urban Organic," will show you where to find the best healthy food spots in urban areas across the country. This week, we're shining a light on Chicago. Here's our list of the best food co-ops (small grocery stores with discounted prices), farmers markets and juice bars in the Windy City.

Co-ops:

1. Fresh Moves is a produce market on wheels with the goal of ending food deserts in Chicago. Find out when the mobile market will be near you, here.

2. The Healthy Food Hub market is open at least twice a month at the Betty Shabazz International Charter School on South Ellis Avenue. Get the schedule here.

3. The Growing in Power urban farm sells its produce to food co-ops across the city. Find one near you here.

Farmers Markets:

1.The Hyde Park Farmers Market is open Thursdays, August 22 – October 24 from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. on East 53rd Street and Hyde Park Boulevard. Link cards are accepted.

2.The Bronzeville Community Market is open Saturdays, June 15 through October 24 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 4400 South Cottage Grove Drive.

3.The 61st Street Experimental Station Farmers Market is open Saturdays, May 11 – December 14th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the intersection of Dorchester Avenue and 61st Street.

4.The Englewood Farmers Market is open Thursdays, June through October. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the intersection of Ashland & 65th Street.

6.The Green City Market is open Wednesdays & Saturdays, May through December, from 7 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the intersection of LaSalle & Clark Street in Lincoln Park.

Juice Bars

1. Jubliee Juice is open daily and located at the intersection of Randolph and Halstead.

2. Protein Bar has various locations throughout Chicago and is open daily.

4. Bonne Sante Health Foods is open daily (Except Sundays from November to May) in Hyde Park on East 53rd Street.

5. Raw is open Monday-Saturday in The Loop on North Clinton Street.

6. Kramer’s Health Foods and Supplements in Hyde Park is open Monday-Saturday.

— By Crystal Whaley

If you know of a healthy food success story let us know about it at [email protected].