Growing Hope Inc

Farmers market programs: with an emphasis on increasing access to local fresh foods for underserved populations, the organization manages the depot town ypsilanti farmers market, which provides a vibrant community space for local farmers and food makers to sell directly to customers. Additionally, it manages the ypsi area online market, a safe and convenient option. Six forms of food assistance benefits are accepted at all markets. In 2024: - 215,000 of local foods and goods were sold through the ypsilanti area online market and the ypsilanti farmers market. -17% of the market sales used food assistance. -120 local farmers and food producers sold their products through the program. -on average 700 individuals visisted the market, while 200 visited the indoor winter market each week. -100 active participants registered for the power of produce club.

Youth and schools programs: garden-based nutrition education is provided for pre-k through 8th-grade youth at the organization's urban farm in classrooms, after-school programs, summer camps, and through its participation in the ypsilanti's farm to school initiative. In its year- round teen employment program, teens grow their leadership and job skills while working on the organization's urban farm, at its markets, and in its incubator kitchen, creating the next changemakers in the local food system. In 2024: - 12 teens participated in the paid leadership program -638 youths took part in the stem-based field trips to the growing hope farm and the ypsilanti farmers market. - 12 of the local ypsilanti community schools participated in the farm to school activities. -5 engagements were organized by the teen leadership program participants. -engaged in 81 youth and school organizations. -youth program participated in the neutral zone's 2024 youth driven spaces cohort.

Food entrepreneurship. With the goal of growing the local food economy, this program supports start-up food makers with access to the organization's incubator kitchen. With 24/7 access to a commerical-grade facility, renters are assisted with food safety regulations, licensing, and creating connections with growers and retail markets. In 2024: - 25 local businesses utilized the growing hope incubator kitchen services -60% of the program is made up of black,indigenous, or person of color owned and operated businesses. -56% of the program participants are woman owned and operated. - 4 businesses were able to open up their own brick and mortar stores due to growing hopes program.