The New Ypsilanti Farmers Market
How do you eat healthy food when you live in a “food desert”?
A community food assessment, conducted by the
Ypsilanti Health Coalition (YHC) in 2005 in the 
Ypsilanti area, south of
Michigan Avenue, produced convincing data that documented
the absence of local area stores where residents could conveniently purchase
fresh fruits and vegetables. The findings demonstrated that people,
particularly in the Southside area of Ypsilanti,
are very aware of their lack of food choices, and strongly desire more
sources for healthy food. A phrase was coined that stuck: the area is a
“food desert”.
It is well documented that plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in a diet can help protect against heart disease, diabetes, and some common cancers. Washtenaw County Public Health, working in conjunction with strong community partners like YHC, Growing Hope, Washtenaw County MSU Extension have helped this situation through a Washtenaw Steps Up grant from the Michigan Department of Community Health. Due to this extraordinary collaboration, local residents now have the new downtown Ypsilanti Farmers Market and a brand new resource for fresh, healthy foods.
The market, open Tuesdays from 2:00 - 6:00 pm, May through October,
is located in the Key Bank Parking Lot, at the corner of Michigan Avenue and
Hamilton, and convenient for senior citizen residents across the street. In
its very first year of operation the new market was visited more than 5,300
times, 
generating $23,000 of gross sales for local farmers and
crafters. Approximately twenty local vendors set up and provide locally
grown produce selections, prepared goods and crafts, as well as booths on
nutrition education, healthy eating and preparing fresh produce.
(
See the flyer for the 2007 Farmers Market!)
Seniors in Ypsilanti and low income residents receive nutrition education and may be eligible to receive coupon books to make purchases at the market. PROJECT FRESH, another partnership among Washtenaw County, WIC and MSU Extension, provides these discounted coupon books to low income seniors to help buy fresh Michigan-grown produce.
For more information on these and other exciting community nutrition initiatives, please contact Washtenaw County’s Health Promotion Supervisor Jenna Bacolor.
