How to Support Eastern Market During the Pandemic

Finding ways to shop local are incredibly important at this time, given the economic situation brought about by COVID-19. A great way to shop local is by finding a way to support Eastern Market, which is home to wholesale produce, small businesses, and restaurants.

From drive-up market days specifically tailored to meet any social distancing guidelines to grocery delivery and gift cards, here are some ways you can support Eastern Market at this time.

TAKE PART IN THE EASTERN MARKET’S CURBSIDE PICK-UP PROGRAM

View this post on Instagram   Nourishing Detroit: Ways to Shop at Eastern Market 1. Saturday Market – The market is still open for business every Saturday from 6am-4pm. We have vendors with food, vegetable plants, & personal care products. We’re shifting market procedures & spaces as much as possible to limit contact and increase social distancing. 2. Saturday Market Food Boxes – Pre-order your food during the week, pick-up on Saturday. Orders will open weekly on Mondays. Quantities are limited. 3. Tuesday Drive-Thru Bulk Produce – We’re partnering with Eastern Market wholesalers to offer no-contact bulk produce pick-up on Tuesdays. We’ll share what we have in advance each week. #easternmarket A post shared by Eastern Market (@easternmarket) on Mar 27, 2020 at 7:03am PDT

Maintaining a healthy diet crucial to a healthy immune system, and given the times, finding access to fresh produce is vital. To make matters more accessible and safer in the time of quarantine, the Eastern Market Corporation has changed things up, while maintaining the same quality local Market Detroiters know and love.

“Starting at noon on Monday, people can order base boxes and then add on from their favorite vendors for pick-up later Saturday afternoon. We also have worked with our Eastern Market District merchants to build up a Tuesday drive-thru market, which is mostly, some of the wholesale houses variety of proteins, produce, bakery items, nuts and coffees. So people can go on a website at www.easternmarket.org to order,” shared Dan Carmody, President of Eastern Market Corporation, when reached out to for comment.

“Friday at five we publish a list of products that will be available and people can print out their order forms, they don’t have pay in advance, they can just show up and drive through the line they don’t have to get out of the car, we’ll put the product into their vehicle for them,” added Carmody. “So, those are some of the ways we’ve twisted the format of the Market to allow people to get food is healthier for them.”

Some of the vendors featured as part of the program include Right Rocky’s Historic Eastern Market, Del Bene Produce, Give And Grow Mushrooms and Capital Poultry.

A full breakdown of the different drive-up options to support Eastern Market can be found here.

ORDER TAKE-OUT FROM EASTERN MARKET RESTAURANTS

View this post on Instagram   Call your order in advance and do curb side pick up today!! ?? #tacos #steaktacos #detroiteats #food4thought #eatwellbewell #eatrealfood #tacolife A post shared by Joses Tacos ?? (@josestacos.detroit) on Apr 18, 2020 at 11:33am PDT

Maybe you’re getting a little tired of cooking, we get it, and if that’s the case, then you’re in luck. Eastern Market spots such as Jose’s Tacos, Louisiana Creole Gumbo and Beyond Juicery+Eatery all offer take-out, as well as the option to deliver through methods such as Doordash, Grub Hub, or Uber Eats. This means it’s now easier than ever to support Eastern Market food spots in their time of need.

ORDER DELIVERY FROM DEVRIES & CO. 1887

View this post on Instagram   We are so excited to announce we are now live with an online shopping and delivery service through Mercato!!! Visit our shop on Mercato at mercato.com/shop/Devries-co-1887. Make your purchases through the website and you can select either delivery or in store pick up! We’re still working to get all our items on so if there is something you’re looking for that isn’t listed give us a call and we’ll get it added! A post shared by DeVries & Co. 1887 (@devries1887) on Mar 31, 2020 at 9:00am PDT

Maybe you’ve got a lot of free time, and you’re looking to gorge yourself on a homemade charcuterie board. Well, you don’t have to risk the trip to a big name grocery store to grab your supplies, just turn to Eastern Market. One business, in particular, that is offering pick-up and or delivery, is the Detroit staple, Devries & Co. 1887. Currently offering delivery through Mercato, browse their vast array of specialty meats and cheeses here!

SUPPORT EASTERN MARKET BUSINESSES BY PURCHASING A GIFT CARD

View this post on Instagram   Positive vibes only! Each day this week, we’ll give an option to help small businesses like ours survive. Today, consider grabbing yourself an e-gift card for a (future) beer. They’re good at both EMBC and Ferndale Project in any amount—get yourself (or a friend) a future beer at the link in our bio! ? #easternmarketbrewingco A post shared by Eastern Market Brewing Co (@easternmarketbrewing) on Mar 17, 2020 at 4:00pm PDT

If you’re someone looking to lend support without leaving your home, then you’re in luck. A slew of Eastern Market businesses from Supino Pizzeria, to Eastern Market Brewing Company, offer gift cards that can be used at a later date — allowing you to support your favorite spot now while enjoying a tasty treat at a later date.

DONATE DIRECTLY TO THE EASTERN MARKET PARTNERSHIP

Thanks to @fordfund_ for serving our seniors! Royal Oak Towers at 8 Mile and Wyoming received our first and largest fresh produce delivery! We’re honored to serve our community at this time. Support #EasternMarket‘s COVID-19 initiatives: https://t.co/fDaHYdlb23 pic.twitter.com/Sy4J3TaJrh — Eastern Market (@EasternMarket) April 24, 2020

Lastly, one of the ways in which you can support Eastern Market includes donating to the Eastern Market Corporation’s COVID-19 efforts. Some of the initiatives include food delivery to those in need, including essential frontline workers, as well as ensuring that the Market remains clean and ready to continue supplying produce.

“We also have engaged in a number of both emergency food and frontline food delivery systems,” shared Dan Carmody while touching on the efforts made by Eastern Market. “So we coordinated the delivery of 525 lunches to Henry Ford health system and Beaumont frontline staff, each day, and we also deliver food to a number of senior centers and group homes where people are in need of produce taken to them.”

To help support Eastern Market and the efforts of the Partnership, they are taking donations on their website of any amount. Learn more about their initiatives and donate here.