Since 2013, Growing Hope has managed and funded the beloved and historic Depot Town Farmers Market in Ypsilanti on Saturdays. Since 2006, Growing Hope’s downtown Farmers Market has been a source of fresh, affordable food for all income levels. Our Tuesday and Saturday markets are outdoors weekly May through October for 2021.

In a manner that prioritizes the health and safety of our staff, vendors, and shoppers, the Market will focus exclusively on selling food, beverages, personal hygiene items, pet food/treats, plants and gardening items, and other products allowed to be sold under current law. All areas and activities deemed non-essential to food purchasing will be suspended or eliminated at this time, including seating areas, live music, cooking demos, and product sampling.

Rules and Guidelines

• PAY ATTENTION & FOLLOW ALL MARKET SIGNAGE: Starting in June, shopping at the Market will look very different than normal. Following Market signage helps Market staff monitor the number of people within the Market space, guide pedestrians and traffic safely, and prevent crowds. Cooperation is key to a healthy and successful Market. When you follow Market signage, you do your part to ensure our Market is able to stay open. We appreciate your patience and understanding!
• 65 CUSTOMERS LIMIT: In order to comply with current regulations, based on the size of our space and number of Vendors, the Market will have max customer capacity of 65. This means that 65 customers may shop the Market at one time. We strongly encourage you to shop alone if possible. Every person, regardless of age, counts toward the capacity limit.
• DESIGNATED ENTRANCE/EXIT: Please enter and exit the Market only at the designated areas. Do NOT slip under any ropes or climb over fencing. We appreciate your cooperation and you doing your part to make sure our Market can stay open.
• ONE-WAY FOOT TRAFFIC: Shoppers must move one-way (clockwise) when on the market plaza. There will be arrows and lanes marked. 
• WEAR A MASK: Masks or other cloth covering both your nose and mouth are strongly encouraged when shopping the Market. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Wearing a mask helps us keep each other safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. We wear masks to protect each other. Your mask protects them. Their mask protects you. Learn more about CDC recommendations about cloth face coverings.
• WASH HANDS & SANITIZE: Customers are encouraged to wash hands frequently, not touch face or mouth, not handle produce or items, and to use sanitary wipes or hand washing stations located throughout the Market.
• PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING: All Market participants must maintain a distance of 6 feet of separation between themselves and vendors, shoppers, and Market staff.
• SHOP QUICKLY & STRATEGICALLY: The sole function of the Market at this time is food purchasing. Customers are encouraged to shop quickly and strategically. At this time, visits must be as short as possible to limit exposure and allow time and space for others to shop as well. We ask that only those purchasing enter the Market, as additional foot traffic (ie. “strolling”) is inappropriate at this time and may not be permitted to enter. 
• DO NOT TOUCH PRODUCTS: Customers are encouraged to not touch products for sale. Vendors will select and bag your purchases.
• DO NOT EAT OR DRINK AT THE MARKET: Food and/or beverages may not be consumed at the Market, regardless of whether they have been purchased at the Market or not. There is no sampling at the Market during this time.
• IF YOU FEEL ILL, PLEASE STAY HOME: We appreciate your cooperation in stopping the spread of COVID-19.