Wayne State University will kick off summer with its Wednesday Farmers Market, offering fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, honey, baked goods, and several hot and cold lunch options.
The market opens June 3 and will run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday through Oct. 28 at 5401 Cass, in front of the Reuther Library. The market has moved just north of its former location due to construction planned for the sidewalk in front of Prentis Hall later this summer.
This year's market will feature familiar growers from Detroit and the metro area, including Brother Nature Produce, D-Town Farm, Van Houtte Farms and Burda's Berries.
Prepared food vendors such as Midtown's Avalon International Breads and Corktown's Brooklyn Street Local will also maintain stalls at the market. Russell Street Deli will continue to offer its delectable wraps and soups, while Mystic Kettle will sell popcorn popped on site. Sweet Potato Sensations' cupcakes and ice cream will nicely round out lunch. New vendor Drifter Coffee will satisfy the increasing requests over the last couple of years for caffeinated beverages.
The Wayne State University Farmers Market accepts the Michigan Bridge Card and WIC Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH coupons. The Bridge Card is part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps impoverished households buy food. WIC Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH are state government programs that give pregnant women, children and senior citizens access to Michigan-produced fruits and vegetables sold at farmers markets.
"By participating in these nutrition programs, the Wayne State University Farmers Market supports Michigan producers while also increasing access to healthy food for people who live and work near campus," said Kami Pothukuchi, associate professor of urban planning and SEED Wayne director.
To provide additional benefits to low-income households, the market will match Bridge Card spending dollar for dollar -- up to $20 per card per day -- with Double Up Food Bucks. Double Up Food Bucks may be spent only on Michigan-grown produce and are made possible through a partnership with the Fair Food Network.
Students who are enrolled in classes will also benefit through the Student Advantage Project. The project gives students $10 in vouchers in exchange for $5 in cash, with the vouchers to be spent exclusively on fresh produce. The goal of the project is to increase students' consumption of fruits and vegetables while also benefiting local farmers.
The Wayne State University Farmers Market is a project of SEED Wayne. It is made possible with the help of several campus partners, with special thanks to the Reuther Library, Office of Campus Sustainability and the Department of Public Safety.
About SEED Wayne
SEED Wayne's mission is to collaboratively build sustainable food systems on the campus of Wayne State University and in Detroit neighborhoods through activities in research, teaching, campus operations and community engagement.
SEED Wayne projects include three campus gardens; the 22-week Wayne State University Farmers Market; a 4,000-square-foot passive solar greenhouse at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen for year-round production of vegetables for the soup kitchen, and the Healthy Eats community nutrition project. For more information on the program, visit clas.wayne.edu/seedwayne.