According to Amanda Edmonds, last Tuesday’s downtown Ypsilanti framers market drew 619 people. That’s an all time record… And, the total attendance in May and June of this year is 866 more than during the same period in 2007. (Attendance was 2,179 last year, and 3,045 this year.)
Perhaps more importantly, total vendor sales in May and June has been reported at over $14,200, which is more than double what it was during the same period in 2007.
For the past few weeks, according to Amanda, vendors have been making over $2,500 each Tuesday.
And, that’s not all. Things are going so well, that, as of this Tuesday, they’ll be extending market hours to 7:00 PM. (The market opens Tuesdays at 2:00, in the parking lot of the Key Bank building, on Michigan Avenue.)
It’s also worth noting that, so far this year, $415 has been spent on good, healthy food by families receiving State assistance. I haven’t confirmed it with Amanda yet, but I think that’s a huge jump from last year, when the ability to use EBT (electronic food stamps) began at the market.
It’s encouraging to see the market growing… Thanks to everyone who has played a part.
[This photo is taken, with permission, from the Growing Hope Flickr site.]
3 Comments
Obviously, the word is getting out. I don’t spend enough there, but Growing Hope has done a fabulous job.
BTW, the majority of the vendors at the Ruesday market are the same as our Saturday Farmers’ Market ar the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, which is still in operation and needs support from everyone on THAT side of town.
Kudos to Amanda, her Growing Hope staff and volunteers … and kudos to the Ypsilantians who have taken advantage of the great fresh food and lovely homemade crafts available.
Another aside … rumor has it that the Ypsilanti Co-Op is having a fabulous financial year serving the community.
Undoubtedly, we are eating better and eating fresher than ever before. That portends well for our children, us adults and our seniors. Are we just getting smarter, or what?
One more thing … check out all the fresh stuff at Dos Hermanos, as well. Those two brothers shop well and have lovely produce throughout the week, plus meats and other delectibles. They also have a lot of basics, which will save a drive to Kroger’s.
If you are “nervosa” … walk in and shout, !Ola! … and then shop, asking “en Ingles, por favor.” You will get all the help you need and have all your questions asked. It’s a great way to shop.
Check out the coolers with the ice cream treats. The Mexican “popsicles” … my term … are to die for. Great flavor. Great summer treat.
G’night.
Very good news!
I go to the Depot Town Farmers Market every Saturday, but I haven’t been to the downtown market yet. I’ll have to check it out tomorrow.
On my earlier visit I had these questions, being not-unfamiliar with farms myself:
How could that farmers market have perfect-looking red and green peppers in May?
How could the “local” eggs be exactly the same size, as you get from the factory farmed-and-sorted cartons at the groc. store??