Hunger Action Month: How Eastern Market is Tackling Food Access Across Metro Detroit

Photo courtesy of Well Wayne Fresh Trucks

September is Hunger Action Month, and as changes to federal food assistance programs create new challenges for Michigan families, I’d like to highlight Eastern Market’s year-round work to make fresh, nutritious food more accessible and affordable across Detroit and the region.

More than 1.4 million low-income Michiganders rely on SNAP, while recent federal changes have altered eligibility and program administration.

Eastern Market is helping strengthen access to fresh food through several programs and initiatives:

• Well Wayne Fresh Trucks bring mobile grocery stores to all 43 Wayne County municipalities, particularly communities with limited grocery options.

• Mobile Markets bring fresh produce to 12+ locations each week and accept EBT, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC Project FRESH and Senior Market FRESH as payment.

• Shed 7 helps strengthen the local food supply chain, providing local farmers and farmers of color with cold storage and a more efficient path to getting fresh produce to the market.