downtown farmer's market still growing!

Yesterday was the fifth week of the new Downtown Ypsilanti Farmer's Market Growing Hope started this year, and things are continuing to grow! What I love about it, and what I love about Ypsi, is the authentic diversity of folks there-- lots of economic & cultural backgrounds, and people of every age. We had our first Project Fresh training there yesterday, so tons of moms and little ones (0-5 year olds) were there doing their training to receive their coupons. If you're not familiar with Project Fresh, there's more info here. Market sales continue to grow, and we're starting to see a regular customer base. Lots of seniors from the apartment highrise across the street come over, and have commented how grateful they are to have a place to do their shopping without having to deal with cars or public transportation. Linette Lao, graphic designer extraordinaire, adds new great signs (seen the growing carrot when driving down Hamilton?) every week, and soon all of our materials will have a cohesive look & feel.

We're still making new flyers every few weeks, highlighting what's new, or what's fresh, or related events like the monthly community bike rides starting from the Depot Town Market location. Here's the latest one. And here's the info about the Community Bike Rides. Feel free to print and circulate these, and let us know if you want to join our mailing list about upcoming market or other Growing Hope events.

What was really cute at yesterday's market were the kiddos and the chalk. Lizzie was doing kid-watching duty as the moms were in the Project Fresh training, and sidewalk chalk was the rage for little ones of all ages. There were chalk veggies, and flowers, and butterflies everywhere, and then kids (and some of our vendors) got into hopscotch, and suddenly a line up of kids were hop scotching, as one boy furiously scribbled in the front more and more squares-- the hopscotch ended up running almost the whole length of the market, and everyone had a grand time.

Steve Carpo's incredible fruits are coming in, and yesterday he had rasberries, and cherries, and PEACHES, and APRICOTS! His farm is in Tipton, and he sure knows his fruit trees. When Steve brought his strawberries to market last month, he sold out every time-- and one week within 1/2 an hour!

I also love that we have veggies produced right here in Ypsi! Right now the veggies Growing Hope is selling are from our friend Beverly's organic farm-- Needlelane-- in Tipton (Bev also has a blog), though we'll have Ypsi-grown product soon, and our Roots & Shoots Youth Entrepreneurial Program will be selling cut flowers later in the summer. But, we've had veggie growers (youth & adults) who've produced organically in their backyards & community gardens. We welcome more folks like this-- just get in touch for a vendor application.

-Amanda