A Healthy Community is Growing at the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace

Growing Hope’s Tuesday afternoon farmers market — held at their still-under-development Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace at 16 S. Washington Street in Downtown Ypsi — is moving indoors for the first time this fall.

This expansion from a seasonal outdoor market running May through October, will now go through December inside, giving vendors and shoppers more great produce, prepared food, fun activities, and music. We’ve been busy getting ready to open for the first indoor market on Tuesday, November 1 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., running through the week of Christmas. Growing Hope’s Saturday morning market runs through October 29 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. YpsiPlanti Garden Supply, the organization’s nonprofit garden store, is already permanently open in the MarketPlace Tuesdays – Saturdays.

Growing Hope is creating the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace to increase access to fresh local food for all, open a permanent home for their Tuesday Ypsilanti Farmers Market and establish a center for community activity and health. A long-vacant 1920s warehouse now has a new heating/cooling system, roof insulation, window restoration, LED lights, ceiling fans, new entryway, and handicapped accessible bathroom. Still to come are a licensed community kitchen, meeting space, and more bathrooms. While more funds must be raised to fully open the space, a temporary permit is allowing the farmers market use in November and December this year.

And, we’re adding several special events to our expanded calendar, including a Holiday Baker’s Showcase on Sunday, December 4 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. All the holiday treats imaginable will be featured: cakes, cookies, confections, special bakes, hostess gifts, and stocking stuffers.

Growing Hope’s mission is to help people improve their lives and communities through gardening and healthy food access. For thirteen years, we’ve been rooted in the Ypsilanti community, working to help people – in particular those with the most limited resources – grow and access healthy food.

Our Strategic Plan calls for creating Healthy People, Healthy Places and Healthy Economies by:

• increasing the availability of locally grown foods
• improving diet and health of our residents
• creating business opportunities for farmers and small businesses
• nurturing leadership among youth and adults
• building community gardens in Ypsilanti neighborhoods

Growing Hope is creating a thriving community built around the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace, in the heart of Ypsilanti’s downtown core:

• an established indoor-outdoor farmers market in the downtown historic district
• an unparalleled location — half a block south of bustling Michigan Avenue
• all-access transportation via car or bus, walking or biking
• double the number of market days each year
• reaching more low-income shoppers with food assistance year round
• broadening our vendors’ customer base
• renovating two underutilized buildings in Ypsilanti’s downtown core
• creating a new, centrally located community space for markets, festivals and events

Visit us at Growing Hope and learn how you can support the market fully opening. 

Amanda Edmonds is the Executive Director of Growing Hope in Ypsilanti and also happens to be the Mayor in town. For more information about Growing Hope, you can reach her at: [email protected]