Farmers' Market FAQs
How long has the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market been in existence?
The Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market (DYFM) opened in June 2006, and grew out of Growing Hope’s Healthy Market Initiative that aimed to increase access to fresh food for low-income Ypsilanti residents while making farmers’ markets in the community more viable. Community assessments done through the Ypsilanti Health Coalition, Washtenaw County Public Health, the Ypsi Healthy Food Access Initiative found that access to affordable healthy food was a significant issue in Ypsilanti, where no major grocery store exists in the city limits.
When and where is the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market?
Growing Hope and a number of partners selected the current site, in the parking lot of the Key Bank Building on Hamilton and Michigan Ave in downtown Ypsilanti. The location is ideal due to its central and highly visible location, proximity to public housing and mixed income neighborhoods, and accessibility by public transportation. The DYFM is open weekly on Tuesdays from May- October, 2-6pm. In 2009, Growing Hope held a winter market from 3-7pm at the Corner Brewery on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in November and December. It was a great success and will possibly occur more frequently next year.
Who is responsible for managing the market?
A network of partners—Washtenaw County Public Health, the Ypsilanti Food Co-op, MSU-Extension, and Growing Hope—jointly lead the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market. Growing Hope provides direct market management by employing the Market Manager and with support from other GH staff members and volunteers. An Executive Committee leadership team comprised of the aforementioned partners makes decisions about market priorities, functions, marketing, and policies. This executive committee also provides in- kind staffing and organizational support as follows: Washtenaw County Public Health leads, manages, and evaluates the Prescription for Health Program; the Ypsilanti Food Co-op runs the EBT and credit card machine as a service to all of the vendors; MSU-Extension coordinates Project FRESH, an educational program that provides participants with coupons to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. The Executive Committee gains input on policies, priorities, and community outreach from a Community Advisory Board (CAB). The CAB includes a broad section of community leaders, nonprofit organizations, farmers, community residents-at-large, and other market vendors.
How do I become a vendor and what is the cost?
Vendors must complete and comply with the 2010 Vendor Application that can be downloaded at www.growinghope.net. You can also contact the market manager, Ryan Stedman at ryanmary@growinghope.net or 734-786-8401 to be mailed a copy. Our booth fees are $8/day, with a discount if you sign on for the whole season. We are happy to allow community groups and nonprofit organizations to set up free booths any week for outreach or to conduct health screenings. This must be scheduled in advance with at least two weeks notice, and depends on available space at the market.
How many vendors sell at the market?
The DYFM has seen substantial growth in sales, attendance, and vendor participation throughout its four years in existence. In 2009, on average 25 vendors attended each market and an average of 600 people visited the market each week. Regular season sales for all vendors in 2009 totaled over $108,000, a vast improvement from $23,000 since first opening in 2006.
What do vendors sell? Is the food sold locally grown?
During the months of May and June vendors can resell produce that is grown outside of Michigan provided it is “Michigan-type” (i.e. it could be grown in Michigan in the right season; this means no citrus or bananas). After July 1, all produce has to be grown in Michigan. Throughout the season, all vendors are required to segregate and label food products to let consumers know if it was homegrown, grown by others within Michigan, or grown outside of Michigan.
This policy allows us to offer healthy produce throughout the season (especially for residents who otherwise might not have access to fresh produce at all) and support our local agricultural community. Additional vendors include local artists of handmade crafts, cheese, egg, meat and fresh baked good vendors.
What methods of payment does the market accept? What process is used for accepting EBT/food stamps?
We were the 3rd farmers’ market in the state to offer customers the option to use their EBT/Bridge Card (Food Stamps), through a wireless machine (that also accepts credit cards) managed by the Ypsilanti Food Co-op. The Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market also 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 that they can only spend on fresh Michigan-grown produce at farmers’ markets. In August, September, and October, Growing Hope also offered an EBT incentive program called “Bonus Bucks”. Each week, the program enabled EBT users to receive up $10 in matching EBT funds 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 for consumers wishing to use EBT or credit cards at the market. Customers simply go to the Ypsi Co-op booth to swipe their card in exchange for tokens. All vendors accept the wooden currency and submit the tokens to the market manager for reimbursement based on their cash value.