Eastern Market Is Investing in the People Who Feed Michigan

Eastern Market opened Shed 7, a $16.6 million, 43,000-square-foot wholesale distribution facility designed to help Michigan's independent farmers reach buyers more directly and compete more effectively. The facility features modern refrigerated storage, dock-level loading, and dedicated cold storage for different types of growers—regional farmers, Detroit-based growers, and growers of color—allowing farmers to hold products longer while connecting with buyers rather than immediately returning to their farms.

The investment addresses real economic pressures facing independent growers: rising labor costs, fuel, materials, and transportation squeeze already thin margins. By bringing buyers and sellers together in one place and reducing the number of intermediaries products pass through, Eastern Market cuts down on steps that add cost and reduce farmer returns. The new facility can cut loading time from two hours to about 20 minutes, freeing farmers to meet more buyers and improve profitability. Eastern Market also plans to use the facility to expand its food access programs, including mobile markets that bring fresh produce into underserved neighborhoods.