Markets & Programs
Markets
Earthworks is learning program that is continually growing and changing. Our approach to distributing and marketing our produce is also always changing and growing. We are working to develop effective strategies to build a just food system. We believe all people deserve access to good, healthy, safe food in a way that maximizes community self-determination…but how do we get there?
This year we are trying something new. In partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank, we launched a training program called Earthworks Agricultural Training (E.A.T.) [ make this a hyper link to the EAT page]. Marketing is one aspect of the training so the interns will be marketing a significant amount of the produce from the Earthworks gardens through the Meldrum Fresh Market (more info below), the Grown in Detroit cooperative (more info below), local farmer’s markets, and possibly some area restaurants. Some of the produce from our gardens will still go into meals at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen as it has for years. Our Youth Farm Stand program will also be at various markets during the growing season.
Meldrum Fresh Market
The Meldrum Fresh Market (MFM) features Earthworks certified organic produce and products, such as our honey and jams. The MFM also regularly features a wide variety of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables from Michigan and beyond provided by the Field of Our Dreams mobile market project. By partnering to offer conventionally raised fruits and vegetables, we are able to offer many of the products people at the soup kitchen are familiar with and have low access to. By having our sustainably raised produce at the same market, we are able to begin conversations about eating in season, and the transformative power for ourselves and our communities that lies in growing, knowing, and controlling our own food supply.
Meldrum Fresh Market takes place every Thursday during the soup kitchen’s lunch hours of 11am to 1pm and runs from June 3 through end of October. The market location is at the Earthworks garage at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen at 1264 Meldrum, Detroit 48207. All are welcome. Consider coming for lunch at the soup kitchen and doing some shopping! Bridge Cards, Project Fresh coupons, and cash are welcomed forms of payment.
Please note the pricing structure used at this market is intended to make the produce accessible to our immediate neighbors and guests of the soup kitchen. The pricing structure is not designed to cover our costs. If you are able, we thank you for making a donation to support our being able to provide this service.
Youth Farm Stand Markets
"Grown in Detroit"
We support "Grown in Detroit" markets, a program of the Garden Resource Program Collaborative, at farmers markets throughout Detroit. "Grown in Detroit" is produce that has been grown in family gardens, community gardens and urban farms in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Please see the Garden Resource Program Collaborative calendar to learn where and when you can purchase or eat Grown in Detroit produce!
WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Project Fresh Market at CHASS
2010 will be our seventh year of working to provide Michigan-grown produce to WIC clients through the Project Fresh. While we no longer sell our Earthworks produce at the WIC health clinics, we continue to coordinate with other vendors and farmers to ensure the availability of Michigan grown produce for Project Fresh clients. Project Fresh (Michigan's Farmer's Market Nutrition Program) coupons are distributed at this clinic to eligible women with children. These coupons can only be used for Michigan grown produce. Access to locally grown fruits and vegetables in Detroit is very limited (but improving), which makes it difficult for clients to use these coupons. We work to make it easier clients to use their coupons by bringing the produce to the clinic where the coupons are distributed.
Visit the Project Fresh Web Site to learn more.
"Grown in Detroit"
We support "Grown in Detroit" markets, a program of the Garden Resource Program Collaborative, at farmers markets throughout Detroit. "Grown in Detroit" is produce that has been grown in family gardens, community gardens and urban farms in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Please see the Garden Resource Program Collaborative calendar for when and where you can support Grown in Detroit.
Solanus Center
Located in the same Detroit block as the Earthworks gardens and the Meldrum Capuchin Soup Kitchen is another Capuchin ministry, the Solanus Casey Center . During specific Wednesday healing services, Earthworks' will be stationed at the Mt. Elliott entrance to the Solanus Center. Contact us for 2010 dates.