• 10 Dec 2024
  • Ford Philanthropy
  • Essential Services
  • Eastern Market

From Farms to Families: Ford Philanthropy and Eastern Market Partnership's Impact on Detroit

"The Eastern Market means something a little different to everyone–whether they're shopping at the Saturday market or carrying on a family business that's been here for decades," says Katy Trudeau, President of the Eastern Market Partnership, a Ford Philanthropy nonprofit partner. Since 1841, the Partnership has managed year-round market facilities, where over 225 vendors provide fresh produce, meats, flowers, and more to 2 million visitors annually.

 

With programs like food and health fellowships, flexible pay methods, health-related food prescriptions, and food business resources, Eastern Market strives to build a healthier, wealthier, and happier Detroit.

Farmer stand outside brick Eastern Market shed. Adult male looks at peaches with green tomatoes and Brussel sprouts to the left. Nearby another customer talks with the vendor. Many customers walk on the pathways between the sheds and near racks of plants and tables filled with vegetables.
A hand truck filled with 15 cardboard boxes with the Eastern Market logo on the lids arranged by a masked person. A second person stands in the van surrounded by about the same number of bozes, inside an Eastern Market and Ford logoed Transit van.
Brick building with double-arched entrance and the words EASTERN MARKET etched in stone, surrounded by pop-up tents and shrubs and tables of plants displayed on the asphalt. A mural of animals shaped from vegetables is on a building in the distance.

Driving Access to Fresh Food

 

With support from Ford Philanthropy, the Eastern Market Partnership's "Fresh Food Box" delivery program, transports locally grown produce to nearly 1,000 Detroit households every week. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program sources about 60% of the food distributed from Black-owned farms in and around Detroit. "It hits home that families open their doors to fresh, healthy food each week, knowing their local farmers are the ones who grew it," says Katy. In 2023, the program reached nearly 30,000 households, increasing food access and accelerating the growth of small and midsize farms in the region.

 

As Katy steps into her role as CEO in January 2025, she is prioritizing their Authentic Eastern Market Campaign to strengthen the regional food economy and build a more sustainable future. "This place has served as an authentic food neighborhood and district for over 100 years, and we want to do that again for another 100," Katy says.

 

Experience the historic public market district this holiday season at their Saturday markets, featuring seasonal foods and flowers, and Sunday holiday markets in December. Visit the Eastern Market website to learn more about visiting, volunteering, donating, or how small businesses can join and grow in this community.

About a dozen greenery arrangements sit on the floor with pinecones and red bows. Dozens more small greenery arrangements are on makeshift tabletops.