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SLIDESHOW: A day at Detroit's Eastern Market

Michigan Public | By Lester Graham
Published March 3, 2014 at 11:59 AM EST
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Although the crowds are smaller, even in the middle of winter families from all over the Detroit region visit the Eastern Market.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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In 2006, the city of Detroit turned over the operation of the market to a public-private partnership called the Eastern Market Corporation. Noah King has been visiting for 50 years because so many communities and people meet there.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Farmers from Michigan, nearby states, and Ontario offer produce, meat, flowers and all kinds of other products.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Evelyn Tolson, left, says there was a time the market was "really, really raggedy." Don Everett, with Appleview Orchard of Clinton, MI says Eastern Market was going downhill, but "there's a world of difference" in how the market appears and operates now.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Timothy Ziernert, left, of Zienert & Sons of Washington, MI sells organic eggs and in the summer offers produce. He says the crumbling concrete and freezing cold of the past hurt the market. WIth heated sheds customers are happier and take their time.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Joel Visnyak with JV Farms in Northville, MI says the market is totally driven by the weather. This winter's severe temperatures and snow have reduced the number of visitors to Eastern Market.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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"Things are running a little smoother," said Joel Visnyak of JV Farms. Vendors did say despite the renovated buildings, they need more parking in the area.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Gaier Farms and Greenhouses has been offering meat, produce, and flowers at Eastern Market for more than 50 years.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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John Gaier says before the city of Detroit gave up operating Eastern Market, it was "really in bad shape." Gaier says now, "You've got more people coming back to the market."
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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With several sheds, Eastern Market covers 43 acres and is one of the largest historic public market districts in the U.S.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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"Snow used to blow in under the double doors," said Lawrence Carncross of Carncross Sugarbush in Clare, MI.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Food trucks in Shed 5 are an example of how the market has changed. At one time, Eastern Market was strictly farmers and produce.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Besides vendors offering jams and jellies, baked goods, t-shirts, and much more, there are other attractions.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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The vendors' offerings are heavy on organic produce and specialty foods, like this gluten-free baking company sells.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Produce is still the mainstay of the Eastern Market.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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Some vendors at Eastern Market are stretching the boundaries. Marco Mancinelli Photography of Clinton Township, MI joins farmers and food sellers.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
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The bulk of the traffic at Eastern Market is still about people buying food from the farmers who grow it.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio

For many families, Saturdays are about visiting Eastern Market in Detroit.

A public-private partnership took over the operation of the market from the City of Detroit in 2006.  Since then, buildings have been renovated and Eastern Market's popularity has grown.

I visited the market this past weekend and took a few photos. You can click through them above.
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Arts & Life multimediaMichigan Watcheastern market
Lester Graham
Lester Graham reports for The Environment Report. He has reported on public policy, politics, and issues regarding race and gender inequity. He was previously with The Environment Report at Michigan Public from 1998-2010.
See stories by Lester Graham
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