Impact

Improving access to healthy food

• An average of 600 local customers a week attended the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers' Market (DYFM)
• in 2009 Food stamp and other low-income assistance and incentive programs constitute 20 percent of DYFM income, totaling $21,000 in 2009 alone
• Market sales increased four times since 2006
• Our hoophouse provides food to local outlets 10 months of the year

Increasing self-reliance through growing food

• In 2009, eighty low-income and no-income families received raised bed veggie gardens and now grow their own food at home
• Our youth employment programs connect growing healthy food with green jobs
• Teens earn money and develop entrepreneurial skills and vision as they launch garden-based businesses

Educating youth and adults around healthy food

• More than 500 youth participate in nutrition and gardening activities annually at area schools
• Summer programs connect kids and teens with growing and eating healthy food
• Weekly market demonstrations, an annual food system tour, and presentations reach thousands each year

Cultivating community leadership around food and gardens

• Sixty new local leaders have been empowered through our Community & School Garden Development Institute
• Youth interns and neighborhood mentors act as peer educators around healthy food and gardening
• 400 volunteers put in 12,000 hours annually

Creating a more vital and sustainable community

• Forty gardens from school, community and congregational partners are active throughout Washtenaw County
• The Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers' Market directly enhances the area economy with nearly $108,000 in sales to more than 50 local vendors in 2009
• Strong local food and health promotion through authentic collaborations with nearly 75 organizations & agencies