Fresh Food

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Detroit sweet corn. Photo by crfsproject on Flickr

Neighborhood vegetable markets, urban gardens, small farms, restaurants serving up delicious dishes made with locally-grown ingredients: Detroiters have a special relationship with fresh, local food. This movement grew, over the years, out of the need to make healthful options accessible to residents of a city largely devoid of good, fresh food. While this problem remains pressing in many neighborhoods, the movement continues to flourish and grow in new directions throughout the city.

Below is a partial list of local fresh food-related organizations and resources that we hope you'll share with anyone who could use it. We know it's incomplete, and we need your help to make it better. Let us know what else we should include by sending an email to greengaragedetroit@gmail.com. Thank you!

Eastern Market

Metro-Detroiters have been buying fresh produce from Eastern Market, the largest open air market of its kind in the country, since 1891. Open to the public year round on Saturdays from 5am - 5pm and on Tuesdays from 11am - 6pm July through September, the market can attract as many as 40,000 visitors each week. Under the management of the non-profit Eastern Market Corporation, recent years have seen a greater focus on locally-grown produce and locally-produced specialty food items like jams, bagels, and sausages.

Neighborhood Markets

Detroit also has an increasing number of smaller neighborhood markets selling fresh, locally-grown produce. Most accept cash or a Bridge Card. Visit detroitmarkets.org for a complete list and more information.

Gardens

There is a long history of neighborhood renewal and the cultivation of individual well-being through urban gardening in the city. Today there are well over 1,000 vegetable gardens throughout the city. If you're looking for help, as an individual or community organization, in getting your garden started or keeping it going, the Greening of Detroit's Garden Resource Program can help. Participants "receive resources including seeds and Detroit grown transplants and become part of a growing network of gardeners and advocates working to promote and encourage urban agriculture and a thriving local food system in the City."

Farms

Small-scale, commercial urban agriculture is on the rise in Detroit. The following farms may or may not welcome drop-in visitors, though many could often use an extra set of hands during the growing season. It's a good idea to contact each ahead of time to schedule a visit or volunteer work day.

CSAs

Looking for a Detroit-based CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)? Sign up with these local farmers for regular access to fresh produce throughout the growing season.

  • ACRE
    • Rare and heirloom varietals of organic produce
    • Contact ryananderson@gmail.com

Grown in Detroit

The Grown in Detroit cooperative provides support to urban growers to bring their produce to sell at Farmers’ Markets, restaurants and other retail outlets across the city. Support these local growers by patronizing the restaurants on this list: Media: GID-Dining-Guide_spring-2012.pdf

Food Security/Food Justice

The following organizations are actively working toward a future in which all Detroiters have access to fresh, healthy food nearby. Their work is informed by the Detroit Food Security Policy.