Soy candles sold in Chicago

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program donated materials for Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences students to make more than 1,500 soy candles.

Available in 10 different scents, the soy candles are for sale at the school’s Farm Stand, which hosted a grand re-opening recently announcing new products available for purchase.

“Soy candles are an eco-friendly, clean-burning candle,” says Rob Shaffer, soybean farmer from El Paso, Ill. “Illinois is one of the top soybean-producing states in the nation with about 43,000 soybean farmers working to responsibly grow soybeans that can be transformed into many products, like soy wax.”

ISA partnered with State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) to make today’s soy candle donation possible. The candles are being sold for $3.50 each at the Farm Stand, which provides funding for important agricultural programs and allows the school to purchase more candle-making supplies.

“Not only are Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences students learning how to grow and make the wonderful products that are sold at the Farm Stand, but they’re also raising valuable income for educational programming,” says Sen. Cunningham.

The soy candle donation is part of the ISA Soy in the City initiative designed to share with consumers how soybeans impact their daily lives. Those living outside the Chicago area can follow along with #SoyintheCity on Instragram, Facebook and Twitter.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education.