Direct from our hands to yours.
ypsilanti farmers markets:
vendor directory
Growing Hope is dedicated to helping people improve their lives and communities through gardening and healthy food access. Growing Hope’s Ypsilanti Farmers Markets aim to increase access to fresh and healthy food while supporting our local economy and developing our downtown. By providing a venue for farmers, bakers, urban market gardeners, and other food and craft entrepreneurs, we contribute to the health of the community and the viability of our local food system. With a focus on making the markets affordable and accessible to residents across the income spectrum, Growing Hope and partners (Ypsilanti Food Co-op, Washtenaw County Public Health, Fair Food Network and MSU Extension) have created “hubs for health” in downtown and Depot Town Ypsilanti. This directory was created with support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Municipal League via the City of Ypsilanti and others.
growing hope Improving lives and communities through gardening and access to healthy food
Selective shoppers pick fresh and locally-made. Patrons of the Ypsilanti Farmers Markets know that nothing compares to the taste of real food, picked fresh and prepared with pride. The food you find here hasn’t seen the world. It’s intensely local—hand-made, hand-picked, hand-nurtured by the people who sell it to you. As a result, it’s not only full of freshness—it’s full of the natural nutrients proper care provides. Some of our vendors have long histories in small, sustainable family farms. Some were inspired by the Markets and are new entrepreneurs in urban farming, the cottage food industry, and homemade and handmade goods. They come from diverse age groups, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. What all our vendors have in common is a personal connection with their products and a tremendous passion for what they do. The people who planted the seed are the ones delivering their fruit to you. We invite you to use this directory to get to know our vendors, their amazing products and get a taste of their dedication and pride!
Ypsilanti Farmers Markets DOWNTOWN Market hours: Tuesdays, 2-6 p.m. May thru October Ferris Street, at Hamilton Street, one block south of Michigan Avenue DEPOT TOWN Market hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May thru October in the Freighthouse Market Plaza at 100 Rice St., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Winter Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. November 2 thru December 21 inside Adams STEM Academy, 503 Oak St., Ypsilanti, MI 48198
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PUT OUR MARKET ON YOUR MENU.
Opportunities for restaurants, wholesalers and small businesses The purpose of this directory is to encourage and facilitate ongoing relationships between our market vendors and area restaurants and retailers. Utilizing the information provided in this directory can help you connect with vendors with unique and in-demand products. And, with hoop houses extending growing seasons and a wide selection of storage crops, they can provide local produce direct to you, year round. Besides great produce, baked goods and eggs, many offer handcrafted items that would make great additions to retail settings. When you purchase products from one of our vendors, you’re not only showing your support for the local economy, you’re receiving the quality products you and your customers are looking for.
Produced to
Our vendors provide consistently high quality, competitively-
your standards
priced and often entirely unique products that will help expand your customer base. The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources reports that the vast majority of those in the food community who use locally produced foods find that it directly benefits their bottom line. By developing relationships with vendors, you can request and select the products that meet your standards. You know exactly what you’re getting and precisely where it came from. Is there a hard-to-find food item you’d like to offer? This is the place to look! (One of our vendors grows more than forty varieties of garlic.) If you’re looking for exceptional products, our vendors are ready to deliver.
Preferred by
The “locavore” and buy local movements are on the rise.
your customers
Many of your customers love knowing that their food was locally sourced and are drawn to products made in Michigan. Our community has an uncommon wealth of resources that you can incorporate to distinguish and grow your business. Besides offering great products, the directory can provide you with the specifics of how and where they were produced— things your customers want to know.
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Get to know us!
If you haven’t been to our Markets, we invite you to stop by, meet our vendors and explore. Visit our website at www.growinghope.net, call 734.786.8401, or e-mail market@growinghope.net for more information.
YPSILANTI FARMERS MARKETS
VENDORS
Art of Angie Handmade Jewelry Handcrafted jewelry Practices: Products handmade by vendor
Bridgewater Barns Vegetables, flowers, perennials, herbs, produce seedlings, eggs
Angie is a watercolorist who has always had an appreciation for artisan jewelry. She began learning the art of macramĂŠ and wire-smithing as she repaired or altered her purchased necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry. Now she creates jewelry herself with natural gemstones and an organic appeal. Her work is often inspired by fusing cultures, such as hemp necklaces mixing African and Celtic influences and wire jewelry pieces that blend Egyptian and art deco designs.
Practices: Ecologically sound practices, free range chickens
Angie Wilson Ypsilanti, Michigan www.artofangie.com artofangie@gmail.com
Tony Scampa and Janet Cowling Bridgewater, Michigan 734-732-1000
Blaszak Greenhouse Vegetables, plants, flowers, annuals, herbs, and woven/sewn crafts and art Practices: Uses conventional farming practices Jerome and MaryAnn still tend the 30-acre family farm where Jerome was born and their two sons were raised. MaryAnn quips that the busy farm which once helped keep their sons out of trouble now does the same for these two empty nesters. Plants are tenderly cared for in the greenhouse, and in addition to annuals and hanging baskets, they offer a wide variety of produce from pumpkins to several hard-to-find varieties of squash and eggplant. Jerome and MaryAnn Blaszak Willis, Michigan mablaszak@yahoo.com 734-461-1843 313-910-3577
Everything on Tony and Janet’s sevenacre family farm is grown using sustainable practices including their compost, mulch and weeding. Their use of biological and ecological principles extends all the way down to the 100% biodegradable bags their produce is packaged in. They believe good practices make for good food and happy chickens lay the tastiest eggs.
Candletopia Candles, garden art Practices: Products are handmade by provider After learning to make candles in a class at Ford Motor Company, Robyn started Candletopia in 2002. She now produces garden art in addition to soy candles in various forms, including melts, tea lights, votives, jars, air fresheners, and incense sticks. Her garden art uses repurposed materials and takes the form of 3D flowers, tea cup bird feeders, mirrored and beaded sun catchers, glass candleholders, tables, birdbaths, and more. Robyn Ritondale Westland, Michigan www.facebook.com/candletopia robynritondale@yahoo.com 734-634-2551
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Classique Gifts & Bakes Baked goods Practices: Handmade with fresh ingredients, some baked goods are vegan, gluten free, or sugar free Careful development over time has led to new spins on classic bakery products. Classique Gifts & Bakes feels that innovation and elegance must go hand in hand. They are committed to using only the finest and freshest ingredients in everything they make. Their mission is applied excellence, from quality ingredients and preparation to presentation and packaging. Old-world care and attention to detail meets new-world efficiency, all at affordable prices. Princess Learned Ypsilanti, Michigan classiquegb@yahoo.com 734-507-0559
Don’s Farm Fruits and vegetables (in season), woven and sewn crafts (rugs, doilies) Practices: Some natural fertilizer, items are handmade by provider and incorporate recycled/repurposed materials The items you’ll find on Don’s table represent his family’s love of craft and years of experience. His wife knits the doilies and, along with their son, makes quilts. Don weaves rugs out of repurposed blue jeans and other fabrics on a loom purchased the year he was married—1946. Don loves working with his hands, which is good, since one rug can take 6 to 8 hours to complete. The results are products made with care and quality that lasts. Don, Bernice, Ron and Karen Rickard Ypsilanti, Michigan 734-482-0956
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Dyer Family Organic Farm/ Dick’s Pretty Good Garlic Vegetables and garlic Practices: In the process of becoming certified organic, chemical/pesticide free, natural fertilizer, MAEAP verified for Environmental Farming and Cropping Systems Richard and Diana’s mission of “shaping our future from the ground up” encompasses both the future of their personal lives and of our local community. By growing healthy food in healthy soil, they accomplish this literally from the ground up. In 2009, they expanded on their many years of vegetable growing by adding 40 distinct and delicious varieties of garlic. They also produce local, unfiltered honey from bee hives that are never treated with synthetic pesticides. In addition to making their produce available at farmers markets, they offer CSA memberships, and sell directly to chefs and local food producers. Richard and Diana Dyer Ann Arbor, Michigan prettygoodgarlic@gmail.com 734-649-1654
SPOTLIGHT
Good Medicine Farm & Greenhouse
Berries, vegetables, perennials, herbs, flowers Practices: Chemical/pesticide free Norris Stephens Milan, Michigan goodmedicinefarm@gmail.com 734-693-5580
Norris Stephens grew up in nearby Romulus, the son of a pharmacist father who enjoyed farming as a hobby. When Norris was a teenager, his family bought the farm that he now runs himself, where they kept chickens and farmed feed corn and hay for horses. One of six siblings, Norris was the only one interested in farming, having worked for a tractor and fertilizer dealer as a young adult. So when it came time for his parents to hand over the 40-acre family farm in 1986, Norris happily stepped in. He began growing food when he took over the farm, and started selling at the Ypsilanti Farmers Markets the same year. His farm was originally chemical-free to save on the cost and licensing burdens of pesticides and fertilizers, and he maintains this practice through crop rotation and pulling weeds before they go to seed and become a recurring problem. Now he grows just about everything that people love to eat, from beans to tomatoes to potatoes, and handles the product from the field to the customer, with the help of his son, son-in-law, and grandkids. He loves both farming and selling at the market – from looking over the product of his hard work from his back door, to selling that product directly to the consumers who will enjoy it. He’s also glad to develop friendships with area restaurants and food retailers that are looking to offer fresh, local products. As his farm’s name suggests, Norris has always believed that good food is Good Medicine.
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Fairview Farms Vegetables, jams/jellies, salsa, honey Practices: Chemical/pesticide free, foods prepared in certified kitchen Fairview Farms is a true family affair, with Sam, his sons and grandsons working together to care for crops raised with ecologically sound and sustainable practices. Sam is a master gardener and veteran farmer whose straightforward ethic of “being kind to people” is evident in the quality products he offers market patrons. Sam is also glad to work with food retailers and restaurants to help provide great local foods to their customers. Sam Parise Saline, Michigan www.fairviewfarmsapiary.com Info@FairviewFarmsApiary.com 734-904-8625
Fleig Farms Tree fruits, berries, vegetables, annuals/ perennials, herbs and flowers, eggs, bread, pies, pickled items, jams/jellies Practices: Free-range eggs Ruth has been farming since she was “knee high to a grasshopper,” and her 65-acre farm has been in operation for more than 30 years. Ruth believes in providing good, healthy produce and would be interested in having her products enjoyed in area restaurants that appreciate locally grown foods. Ruth Fleig Petersburg, Michigan
Green Diva Farms Berries, vegetables, annuals/perennials, herbs, flowers, produce seedlings, pies, jewelry, soaps/bodycare, t-shirts from local residents Practices: Pesticide/chemical free, natural fertilizer Kari began farming her 3.5 acres to support the growing locavore movement. She enjoys growing healthy food and believes supporting local business provides a brighter future. In addition to locally grown foods, she offers prepared foods made with organic ingredients and handmade products that incorporate recycled/repurposed and locally produced materials. Kari Smith Belleville, Michigan 616-902-2906
Growing Hope Seedlings, vegetables, herbs, raised bed kits Practices: Pesticide/chemical free In addition to managing the market, nonprofit Growing Hope runs a demonstration urban farm just blocks from downtown on Michigan Ave. Part education and training space and part social enterprise, the farm at the Growing Hope Center demonstrates how to grow food in small spaces, how to extend seasons using hoophouses, and how urban agriculture can be a viable part of the green economy and community vitality. Growing Hope may be interested in restaurant and retail opportunities for seedlings, raised bed kits, produce, and herbs. Growing Hope Ypsilanti, Michigan www.growinghope.net getintouch@growinghope.net 734-786-8401
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Herbal SereniTea LLC Tea
Janeda Farms Laundry soap and other homemade goods
Practices: Fair trade, organic
Practices: Homemade, all-natural ingredients
Herbal SereniTea LLC is a Michigan-based company created by a public school teacher. They are committed to providing all natural loose teas and tisanes. They believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of healthy and delicious teas of the highest quality. Herbal SereniTea provides customers with fair trade organic herbal, flavored, fruit, white, green, oolong and black teas at an affordable cost. Their blends will help to comfort, encourage, and inspire you in sickness and in health. Yarisha Johnson Ypsilanti, Michigan yarishanyree@herbalserenitea.com 248-842-5462
Heritage of Healing Native American jewelry and crafts Practices: Products are handmade by provider Shoshana offers beautifully handcrafted items made from real materials — glass beads, natural stones, bone, cedar and more. The products are offered to support the missions of Heritage of Healing, which seeks to increase awareness about wellness and cancer/disease prevention including the increased risks to Native American populations. Shoshana Phillips Ypsilanti, Michigan www.heritageofhealing.org info@heritageofhealing.org 734-323-0762
Janeda Farms started with a baby in need of laundry soap gentle enough for kissable skin. By modifying a few secret family recipes, Janeda Farms developed a line of homemade, all-natural products for the home. They debuted at the Ypsilanti Farmers Markets in 2012, and shortly after began selling online. Their mission has evolved to sharing their passion for high quality, eco-friendly detergents, soaps, and other products. Janeda Farms understands that every family is unique, with unique needs and uses for home products. Janeda Farms janedafarms@gmail.com www.janedafarms.com 734-707-1011
Jar Head Salsa & Tortilla Chip Co. Salsa, tortilla chips Practices: Made in a commercial kitchen Jar Head Salsa was started in 2008 by the father/son team of Tom and Dave Smith. A retired Gunnery Sergeant, Dave was inspired to start making salsa after preparing meals for the U.S. Marine Corps and determining that he could do better than the salsa purchased for the taco bar. After some experimentation, Jar Head found its recipe and quickly took off from 40 pint batches to 600 pints per week in 2012, adding tortilla chips to the mix as well. Jar Head donates 10% of all proceeds to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Glen Brittingham Grand Blanc, Michigan glen@rtownsaver.com 248-802-6129
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SPOTLIGHT
Karpo Farms Orchard fruits, berries, jams, apple cider Practices: Licensed grower, fresh picked and prewashed Steve Karpo Tipton, Michigan 517-605-5174
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Freshness and variety are two of the hallmarks of Steve’s products. He has 56 varieties of apple trees and dozens more varieties of peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots. And, if you see something on his table, it was likely picked that morning or the afternoon before. Freshness is one the reasons Steve can offer so much choice. The cherished baking apple, Northern Spy, for example, bruises easily which makes it hard to ship and therefore a rarity on supermarket shelves. The Karpo family has been coming to Ypsilanti markets since the 1970s when Steve’s father was working the farm. When his dad was ready to retire in 1996, Steve left his job as a mechanic rather than see the family farm sold and steadily kept the tradition of bringing his products to Ypsilanti. He has built up such a loyal following that he still comes to the Market even before the fruit is ready; his customers often stop by for updates. It’s common to hear Steve let patrons know that blueberries will be ready in two weeks and he’ll begin harvesting peaches the next. It’s this kind of connection to his customers that keeps Steve coming back to the Market and a major reason why he prefers it to wholesaling his fruit, although he does supply some area grocers who appreciate fresh, locally grown products. It takes a lot of long hours to provide the level of quality he consistently brings, but Steve knows his customers count on him and winter will give him, and his trees, a season to rest.
SPOTLIGHT
Maggie’s Baked Goods & More
Bread, pies, desserts, sewn crafts Practices: Foods prepared in a certified kitchen Maggie Minor Ypsilanti, Michigan 734-485-6152
Maggie is exactly the kind of small-scale, high quality entrepreneur Michigan’s Cottage Food Law is designed to serve, so much so that she was invited to attend Governor Granholm’s signing of the law at the Growing Hope Center in 2010. Maggie began baking and quilt-making more than 50 years ago as a single mother looking to provide for her eight children— and she did! Now you’ll often find Maggie at the Market joined by her daughter or one of her many grandkids, including 12-year-old Nelson who loves the market as much as Maggie. Maggie’s recipes and baking skills have been perfected over decades. Everything is made from scratch and, whenever possible, Maggie likes to “keep it in the family” by using ingredients bought from other Market vendors. (The canned peaches she plans to offer this season will be using fruit from Karpo Farms.) People who’ve tried her products quickly become faithful followers; she’s even mailing pies to a fan in New York and cornbread to another in North Carolina. While she loves to cook, it’s the customers that keep her motivated and their happiness is her reward for putting in 10-12 hour days in the kitchen. Try her 7-up pound cake, oatmeal spice cake, or Maggie’s personal favorite, the sweet potato pie. Maggie’s Baked Goods would be a great addition to the dessert menus of area restaurants that want to keep customers coming back for more.
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SPOTLIGHT
Nightshade Army Industries Hot sauce, salsa, heirloom tomatoes, heirloom peppers, dried chiles, chili powder, infused vinegars, fresh herbs, other produce Practices: Homegrown and locally-sourced, chemical/ pesticide free, handmade, sauces prepared in a certified kitchen with license, recycled/ repurposed materials used Stefanie Stauffer and Jason Voss Ypsilanti, Michigan www.facebook.com/nightshade. army.salsa ststauffer@hotmail.com
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Nightshade Army Industries is a farm-based, value-added hot sauce and salsa business, begun in 2010 from the surplus garden produce of urban farmers Stefanie Stauffer and Jason Voss. What began with a backyard garden for Jason and with a network of community garden plots around Ypsilanti for Stefanie is now a 1/4 acre Ypsilanti farmstead, Voss Acres, where this year they’re growing 50 kinds of heirloom tomatoes and 40 kinds of hot peppers, as well as eggplant, tomatillos, sweet peppers, and ground cherries for various Nightshade products. Their vision is to provide a model of a sustainable, small-scale business that makes artisan food products with seasonal, locally-grown ingredients. Their mission is to make salsas, hot sauces, and other products from heirloom varieties of tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos, garlic, and onions, all grown within 20 miles of Ypsilanti. Nightshade Army Industry’s products are all Ypsi-grown and Ypsi-made. All of the produce is grown at Voss Acres or sourced from partner farms like the Dyer Family Organic Farm and Bridgewater Barns. All of the sauces are made by hand in small batches at Beezy’s Café in downtown Ypsilanti, using both authentic and experimental recipes. You can find their artisan sauces and other farm products during the 2013 season at the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers Market, the Ann Arbor Wednesday Evening Market, and the Pittsfield Farmers Market.
Kuntry Gardens Vegetables, eggs, baked goods, meats, chicken, homemade pastas Practices: Certified organic, pesticide/ chemical free, natural fertilizer The foods Andy brings to the Market are born of the practices passed down from generation to generation in his Amish faith community. The fields are plowed by horses and hoed by hand, and the community is committed to bringing health conscious foods to the Market. The results are products that are wholesome, delicious and nutrient rich — from fresh produce to maple syrup, homemade jams, organic popcorn and more. The products can also be supplied to restaurants and food retailers. Andy Stutzman Homer, Michigan 517-542-2025
Moon’s Harvest Society Jams, teas Practices: Local ingredients, handmade packaging, low sugar recipes Moon’s Harvest is inspired by global flavors and ancient traditions. Their jams are made using low-sugar recipes with short cook times to preserve nutritional benefits, and they always pick at peak season and can the same day to capture the flavor of sun-ripened fruit in each beautifully giftwrapped jar. Their teas use high quality dry herbs to heal the body and soul, each of which is mixed in a delicate balance and emphasizes herbs that are beneficial to the body in order to relax, refresh, and revitalize. Amanda Lawrence and Jessica Smith Ypsilanti, Michigan www.facebook.com/moonsharvestshop moonsharvestsociety@gmail.com
L.P. Stotz Farms Vegetables, fruits, eggs
Mulberry Hill Agrarian Cooperative Vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers
Practices: Free-range chickens, Grade A egg farms, minimal pesticide use
Practices: Ecological and communitycentered approach to farming
L.P. Stotz Farms carries a wide selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, most of which are pesticide-free. By using an integrated pesticide management system, they are able to minimize pesticide usage while maximizing quality production. They also offer farm fresh, free range eggs that are washed, graded, and candled. They are the only fully licensed Grade A egg farm in Monroe County, with processing facilities inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
Mulberry Hill is a small community farm providing delicious produce (fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers) to 20 member households as well as friends, family, and farmers market shoppers. Their approach to farming — and to their community in general — is a holistic one. They use techniques like mulching, rotational grazing, cover cropping, and no-till to farm with consideration for the long-term consequences of agriculture, treating soilhuman connections as our most precious resource.
L.P. Stotz Farms Ida, Michigan 734-269-2466
Saline, Michigan www.mulberryhill.org mulberryhillpeeps@gmail.com
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Riki Tiki Pies Pies Practices: Use local ingredients Riki Tiki Pies is based out of Beezy’s Café in Ypsilanti. They make pies from scratch using local produce, a wild imagination, and a lot of butter. Most of the ingredients they use in their pies are purchased locally at the Ypsilanti Farmers Markets. Theresa Rickloff Ypsilanti, Michigan www.rikitikipies.com rikitikipies@gmail.com
Solarefuge Farm Produce, eggs (quail, chicken, duck) Practices: Chemical/pesticide free Mike has been growing and selling produce all his life. At age five, he would go door-to-door selling produce grown to support his family. Today, Mike offers a wide variety of chemical-free produce, garlic and eggs from his two-acre farm in Saline. He says the solitude of farming and the social activity of the farmers’ markets combine to create a great balance for good mental health, and his farming practices support good physical health for both Mike and his customers. His products are available to area restaurants and retailers looking to provide healthy local foods to their customers. Mike Smith Saline, Michigan tofumike2000@yahoo.com 734-429-4102
Snick’s Farm Vegetables, garden transplants, honey, maple syrup, eggs, cut flowers, meats Practices: Certified naturally grown, chemical-free Jason and Seraina Killoran Jonesville, Michigan 517-542-3636
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Spicy Mike’s Seasonings Variety of seasonings, olive oil and rice mixes Practices: Uses domestic spices, no MSG Mike’s seasonings are all original recipe blends using the finest herbs and spices he can find. His products include the popular blends of Original Savory, Southwest Chipotle, and Jamaican Jerk. They’re terrific on meats, vegetables and just about anything else. Mike also offers mixes for instant salsas, chilis and an Italian mix that is perfect for blending with olive oil and dipping with your favorite artisan bread. Mike would enjoy seeing his products added to food retailers’ shelves and put to use in area restaurants. Michael Bargardi Ypsilanti, Michigan mdbargardi@comcast.net 734-649-9641
Triple Tree Farm Large variety of heirloom fruits and vegetables, microgreens, jams and jellies, crafts Practices: Chemical free, employs urban farming and permaculture techniques for greater production and conservation Triple Tree is an Ypsilanti-based farm born from two urban farming families in the heart of the city. They use season extension techniques to provide local food for as much of the year as possible. Their microgreens are grown year-round. They care about their community and growing clean, ethically grown food. Grace & Jeff Yoder and Briannon & Brett English Ypsilanti, Michigan www.ypsitripletree.com info@ypsitripletree.com 734-219-4116
SPOTLIGHT
Ypsilanti Food Cooperative & Bakery Produce when available, bread, pies, and desserts from the Ypsi Food Co-op Bakery Practices: Foods prepared with certified organic ingredients in a certified kitchen. Member owned Ypsilanti, Michigan ypsifoodcoop.org 734-483-1520
The Ypsilanti Food Cooperative is a long-time leader in advocating for and implementing sustainable/ecological practices. What began as a bag co-op in the early 1970s, supplying fresh produce and cheese from Detroit’s Eastern Market, moved into its first storefront in 1975. Located at 312 N. River St. in Depot Town, the Co-op now carries a full line of groceries (most are local and/or organic) and includes the Ypsi Food Co-op Bakery which is regarded by many as a community treasure. The Co-op has been a solid supporter of the Market from day one and seeks to supplement, rather than duplicate, the fresh foods offered by other vendors. At the Market, the Co-op provides some of its more unique products like Michigan chestnuts and, of course, the amazing variety of fresh-baked breads from the Ypsi Food Co-op Bakery. The artisan breads (ciabatta, focaccia, sourdough, baguettes and more) are made from organic flour and baked to perfection in a brick oven, fired with reclaimed wood. Equally unique to the bakery’s products is its power supply. The bakery now generates 100% of its net electricity needs through the solar power system installed on the building’s roof. The results of this special mix of old world artistry and new world technology are breads produced to the highest standards of taste and sustainability! Both the Co-op and bakery can work with local restaurants to bring healthy foods and ingredients to their customers.
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Zilke Vegetable Farm Vegetables Practices: Chemical/pesticide free
Union Street Soapworks Soaps/bodycare Practices: Products handmade by provider, materials produced locally In business since 2006, Nate takes a great deal of pride in his workmanship and believes that washing with soap should be a rewarding experience. In contrast to factory-processed bars of detergent packed with chemicals and preservatives, he only uses quality ingredients like vegetable-based oils and pure essential oils. Through Nate’s craftsmanship, the lost art of soapmaking has re-emerged —better than ever. His soaps are also available to retailers looking to provide their customers with exceptional products. Nate Whaley Taylor, Michigan www.unionstreetsoap.com info@unionstreetsoap.com 616-745-1376
Valley Family Farm LLC Vegetables, herbs Practices: Natural fertilizer/pesticides Valley Family Farm believes in “farming with a face” and loves visitors to the 20-acre farm where Farmer Ken tends to an array of fresh picked, naturally grown produce. They believe in the joy of knowing how, when, where, and by whom your food was grown and that the only residue left on your food should be from the natural soil it was raised in. In addition to selling at the market, they also offer CSA memberships. Farmer Ken Huling Milan, Michigan www.valleyfamilyfarm.com ValleyFamilyFarm@yahoo.com 734-904-1433 18
Both Tom and Vicki are MSU grads with a long history of growing; Tom was raised on a farm and has a degree in nursery and landscape management, and Vicki is an MSU Master Gardener with a reputation for tending bountiful flower and vegetable gardens. Today, they’re raising a diverse selection of vegetables and herbs on their family farm and are committed to sustainable and transparent agriculture. Tom and Vicki Zilke Milan, Michigan www.zilkevegetablefarm.com ZilkeVegetableFarm@gmail.com 734-260-2324
Zingerman’s Creamery Artisan cheeses, pretzels, popsicles, dishware Practices: Fresh cheeses made from Michigan cow and goats’ milk Zingerman’s Creamery is dedicated to crafting handmade cheeses and gelatos using traditional methods to honor the rich tradition and art of cheesemaking and create the most full-flavored products they can. They use low-temperature pasteurization and lots of time to draw out and enhance the amazing flavors. They also take pride in working with other vendors to pair products, like fresh produce, with their cheeses and are eager to do the same with restaurants and retail/ wholesale food providers. Zingerman’s Creamery www.zingermanscreamery.com creamery@zingermans.com
growing hope Improving lives and communities through gardening and access to healthy food
P.O. Box 980129 Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198 (734) 786-8401 www.growinghope.net
Most photos by Leisa Thompson.