Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market Opens 3rd Season

Tuesday, May 6, Growing Hope celebrates the seasonal opening of the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers Market in the Key Bank parking lot in downtown Ypsilanti. This year will mark the 3rd anniversary of the Downtown Market, and with even more vendors, events, and community partners, the market promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market commitment to supporting local farmers and artisans will continue by featuring locally grown and produced foods. The early spring offerings will include fresh greens, spinach, eggs, cheese, flowers, vegetable and herb plants, and more. Throughout the season, plans for the market include family-oriented activities, cooking demonstrations, health screenings, youth and artist days, crafts, and other fun and educational activities.

Making its debut at this year’s market will be a new type of market “currency,” which will take the form of colored wooden tokens. Tokens will be available for us as general market “bucks” as well as for EBT, Project Fresh and Prescription for Health purchases. Other farmers’ markets around the state have found such tokens to be fun and community-friendly. Market vendors will also still accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, food stamps & Project Fresh coupons.

New this year, Prescription for Health will be available through a partnership between Washtenaw County Public Health and four local health clinics: Hope Clinic, Neighborhood Health Clinic, the Corner Health Center and UM Ypsilanti Health Center. Clinicians at the four clinics will “prescribe” tokens worth $5.00 in fruits and vegetables to patients for redemption at the farmers’ market. Organizers hope that patients will establish a habit of shopping at the market for fresh fruits and vegetables and enjoy the health benefits of a better diet.

The Market season will kick off on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 2:00 pm, and will run every Tuesday between May 6th and October 28th from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, in the Key Bank Parking Lot, located at the corner of Michigan Ave. & Hamilton Ave in downtown Ypsilanti.

For additional information, contact Rachel Chadderdon, Downtown Farmers’ Market Manager at Growing Hope at (734) 786-8401 or at info@growinghope.net.