Healthy Food Access
The Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market participates in WIC Project FRESH, Senior Project FRESH, and Washtenaw County Public Health Department’s Prescription for Health Program. These programs provide coupons for low-income families and seniors, which can only be spent on fresh Michigan-grown produce at farmers’ markets. Growing Hope also offers an EBT (food stamp) incentive program called “Bonus Bucks”. The program enables EBT users to receive up $10 in matching EBT funds each week to spend on local fresh fruits and vegetables. Participation in these programs not only helps to increase food security in downtown Ypsilanti, but also increases revenue for our vendors.
We plan to continue the use of our efficient and fun wooden token system that integrates all of our food assistance programs into a simple and fun currency system. Customers wishing to use EBT or credit cards simply visit the Ypsi Co-op booth to swipe their card in exchange for tokens. Prescription for Health participants receive tokens as well, and we also have all-purpose “Market Dollar” tokens. Market Dollars are for sale, like gift certificates. All vendors accept the wooden currency and submit the tokens to the market manager for reimbursement based on their cash value.
