Tea, Honey, and the Gift of Local Food

A Conversation with Growing Hope’s Teen Leaders

For most people, tea and honey are something you grab off a store shelf. But for a group of teens in Growing Hope’s Teen Leadership Program, these simple products became an experiment in food sovereignty, a crash course in business, and a way to build relationships with their community. They grew the herbs, harvested the honey, designed the packaging, and brought their creations to the Ypsilanti Farmers Market—where something amazing happened.

I sat down with Nick Garay, Tuula Martinez, Eli Harris, Jaylah Cotton, Josie Smith, and other Teen Leadership Program members to talk about what it was like to go from farm to market, why food is more than just a product, and what they learned about themselves along the way.

The Journey from Farm to Market

Julius Buzzard: I love that you didn’t just sell something at the market—you created something. Can you walk me through the process of making your tea and honey?

Tuula Martinez: We grew the herbs ourselves at Growing Hope Urban Farm, harvested them, and dried them in the prop house. A few weeks later, we processed them and put them into containers. Then came the fun part—designing and making tea bags! We had to decide together what flavors would sell best, how many tea bags to include in each pack, and how to package everything. I was part of the design team, so we worked on the labels and ordered the boxes.

Eli Harris: After our first day selling tea, we looked at which varieties sold best and adjusted. We added calendula because people seemed really interested in new flavors. Every tea bag was hand-assembled from coffee filters, cotton yarn, and staples—it was so much work!

"Wow, I’m Running a Business"

JB: What was it like to have your own booth at the market, talking with customers and selling something you made?

Nick Garay: It was really fun! I loved being at the market, seeing other vendors, and getting all these customers. It was kind of surreal to think that people would buy something we made—and then go home and drink our tea!

Sienna Troy: Other vendors came up to us and asked questions, and some even bought our tea. It felt like we were part of this bigger community.

Tuula Martinez: The vendors were so welcoming. It was our first time selling, and they made us feel like we belonged.

Food as a Gift & the Power of Farmers Markets

JB: Has this experience changed the way you think about food, business, or what you might want to do in the future?

Nick Garay: The market and working at Growing Hope really changed my perspective. I read Braiding Sweetgrass and The Serviceberry and started thinking about the gift economy—how food carries meaning when you buy it directly from the person who grew it, rather than just grabbing something off a grocery store shelf. That’s what this market is about.

Abby Rogers: It’s amazing to see how much work goes into farmers markets. Meeting the other vendors, learning about their products—it really opened my eyes to how much passion and effort goes into making local food available.

Eli Harris: A lot of people came to the market with a specific idea of what they wanted, but once we started talking to them, they got interested in what we were selling. That interaction made all the difference.

What’s Next?

The Teen Leadership Program is already planning to return to the market this year, bringing new products and fresh ideas.

"We’re talking about making herb salts next!" says Sienna.

"We want to show how growing food can be accessible to everyone," adds Tuula. "It’s a great investment—you plant once, and you keep harvesting. We’re practicing what we preach!"

And as for the market itself?

"We’ll be back—at least once this summer and again for the indoor market!"

📍 NEW LOCATION: 16 S. Washington Street

🛍 Opening Day: May 3, 2025 ⏰ 9 AM – 1 PM

Want to support the next generation of food entrepreneurs? Become a Friend of the Market today!

👉 Become a Friend of the Market Today!

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Matthew Bacon, Our 2025 Volunteer of he Year

By Julius Buzzard • December 5, 2025

Beloved Community, As the seasons turn and the last leaves let go, I’m thinking about how much of this work depends on people who choose to show up. Food sovereignty is held together by the steady, everyday commitments of folks who believe their time can help build a more just and nourished community. Our volunteers carry our community with a kind of grounded generosity that can’t be measured but can absolutely be felt. You welcomed neighbors, supported vendors, helped distribute SNAP Gap tokens, handled surprises with grace, and made the market a place where people felt a sense of belonging. That is a rare and powerful contribution. Among these dedicated volunteers, we’re honored to recognize Matthew Bacon as our Volunteer of the Year . Matthew came to southeast Michigan without long-standing ties, yet quickly became one of the anchors of our market season. His presence was consistent, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine care for the mission. In his own words: “I chose to volunteer with Growing Hope at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market because Growing Hope’s mission greatly appealed to me, and I wanted to support the cause. What stood out to me and drew me in was the mission’s emphasis on access to nourishing food and community empowerment. I enjoyed learning about the ways the mission is carried out through the urban farm, incubator kitchen, and community outreach. I loved seeing it come full circle, bringing people together at the farmers market and other community events. As a newcomer to Southeast Michigan with no prior connections to the area, volunteering at the market has been a great way to meet and connect with people in the community. Thank you to Growing Hope for the opportunity to get involved this summer and fall, and I look forward to continuing to do so in the future!” Matthew reflects exactly what strengthens the fabric of this work: folks who arrive with open eyes, steady hands, and a willingness to weave themselves into the community’s story. We’re profoundly grateful. As we move into winter, the Ypsi SNAP Gap continues to play a critical role in expanding food access with dignity. Through the end of November, shoppers impacted by SNAP cuts and the government shutdown could receive $40 in SNAP Gap tokens each market week. Beginning in December, that shifts to twenty dollars per week so we can sustain our community through the end of the year. Tokens can be used at both Ypsilanti Farmers Markets and Old City Acres Farm Stand on Emerick Street. They’re valid on all food, fresh, prepared, hot, and remain usable through March 2026. Programs like SNAP Gap thrive because volunteers, donors, and neighbors insist on a community where everyone eats well. People like Matthew, and so many of you, turn that vision into something real and tangible. Thank you for walking alongside us, for carving out time from full lives, and for fueling the kind of food system that honors each person’s dignity. The season may be winding down, but the work continues, rooted in your care. In solidarity, Julius P.S. If you’re looking for a tangible way to strengthen food access this winter, consider making a monthly gift or signing up for a volunteer .

Nurturing a Season of Hope

By Julius Buzzard • November 18, 2025

November 2025 Food insecurity is a quiet crisis, until it’s at your doorstep. In Michigan, one in six adults and one in five children are struggling to afford food. Here in Washtenaw County, one in seven of our neighbors face the daily choice between groceries, childcare, and medicine. This year has brought more than hardship; it has brought disruption . Federal work requirements are forcing parents and elders to choose between groceries, healthcare, and childcare. Budget cuts and policy whiplash have shredded what remains of our fragile safety net. And yet, this is not the end of the story. We are reminded, once again: hunger isn’t just a matter of policy. It’s a matter of power. At Growing Hope, we are working toward a different future. A future rooted in justice, joy, and food sovereignty. Food is not a commodity. It is a human right. It is a relationship. It is a powerful tool for reclaiming what is ours: the ability to nourish ourselves, our families, and our community. “I want to learn how to do all kinds of stuff. We live in an unpredictable world.” She paused, laughed, and shrugged. “I need to grow my own food. That’s where my head is.” —Amorita, hands in the soil at our urban farm Your gift today will double to ensure families across our region can access, grow, and share fresh, culturally-relevant food. This year, your generosity has sown resilience: Over 6,000 pounds of produce and 10,000 food plants were shared with neighbors. A farmers market that reimagines food assistance with dignity and choice. An incubator kitchen that seeds new food businesses, stitching equity into our local economy. Teens empowered to lead, teach, and grow, becoming catalysts for generational health. “I know that I’ve been able to make an impact in my community while working with the teen program, probably more than I would have if I hadn’t worked here. Part of it is because it made me believe I could. The other is probably all of the connections and opportunities Growing Hope has in the community, that I’ve been privileged to take advantage of.” —Youth Leader, Growing Hope Teen Program Together, we are not just growing food. We are growing future. When a young person harvests food for their neighbors… When an elder shares recipes that carry memory and meaning… When families gather to eat from the soil they stewarded together… That is how chaos gives way to hope. Dr. C.R. Snyder reminds us that hope is not simply a feeling. It requires vision, possibility, sustained effort, and the belief that our actions shape the future. That’s the kind of hope we are cultivating at Growing Hope, and we can only do it together. This season, you can ensure our community is not defined by chaos and confusion, but remembered as a season of hope. Your year-end gift will be doubled to strengthen our shared work for food justice and sovereignty. Will you stand with us in planting the seeds of hope that will grow for generations? In solidarity and gratitude, Julius Buzzard Executive Director P.S. Your gift will be doubled thanks to a generous donor match. Together, let’s move from chaos to hope.

Cooking Up Futures: Our New Accelerator Kitchen & Food Hub

By Julius Buzzard • November 1, 2025

Here in Ypsilanti, food isn’t just something we eat, it’s how we connect, how we create opportunity, and how we build community. At Growing Hope, we’ve long believed that when people have the power to grow, prepare, and share their own food, they’re stepping into sovereignty over their health, their economy, and their future. That belief is taking shape in a big way with our latest project: Cooking Up Futures – the Accelerator Kitchen & Food Hub . We’re transforming a downtown building at 16 S. Washington Street into a fully equipped commercial kitchen and community food hub. In this place, small food businesses can grow, people can learn culinary skills, and Ypsilanti residents can access fresh, healthy food. And here’s where the community of builders comes in. We’re now accepting sealed bids from qualified contractors to bring this vision to life. The work is ambitious: it includes roof repairs, mechanical and electrical upgrades, ADA accessibility improvements, interior build-outs for retail and wholesale operations, landscaping, and of course, all the infrastructure that makes a commercial kitchen safe and functional—from fire suppression systems to grease management. This is more than construction. It’s an investment in economic mobility, in local food entrepreneurship, and in generational health . Every nail, every pipe, every stainless steel counter will support someone’s dream of starting a food business, sharing their culture through food, or learning a skill that can sustain a family. Key Dates: Bid Packet Released: November 1, 2025 Bids Due: December 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST Public Bid Opening: December 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM EST Contractors can submit digitally (preferred) or by hard copy. Complete bid instructions, federal compliance requirements, and detailed project plans are included in the formal bid packet. We are looking for contractors who are not only technically skilled but who share a commitment to community-centered, equitable development . Our evaluation will consider cost, experience with commercial kitchens, DBE participation, schedule feasibility, and federal compliance. I’m often reminded, in conversations with the makers and entrepreneurs we serve, that food is a gateway—it’s how people enter new opportunities, connect across generations, and reimagine what’s possible for their families and communities. With your expertise, your craftsmanship, and your commitment, this building will become exactly that: a gateway. For questions or to request the full bid packet, reach out to me directly: julius@growinghope.net . Let’s build something that feeds more than stomachs—it feeds futures.

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