The Fresh Food Box pilot, a partnership between Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Taste the Local Difference (TLD), seeks to increase fresh food access by connecting SNAP-eligible communities in Detroit and Ypsilanti to farmers offering fresh produce through online stores.
Individuals and families interested in fresh food can select a local farm that meets their needs based on location, delivery, payment option, and type of products offered. Customers then register directly with their desired farm and pay using SNAP/EBT (and P-EBT) or their preferred payment method.
Ypsilanti
| Old City Acres | Ypsilanti Area Online Market | |
| Style* | Choice | Choice |
| Length of Program | Spring – Fall | Year-Round |
| Frequency of Pick Up or Delivery | Determined by Customer | Determined by Customer |
| Price | Varies | Varies |
| Payment Options | Cash Credit Card SNAP/EBT (P-EBT) | Cash Credit Card SNAP/PBT DUFB Senior Project Fresh Prescriptions for Health |
| SNAP Eligible Pick-Up Locations and Times | Saturdays: Ypsilanti Farmers Market (400-698 Rice St; 9 -12 pm) | Tuesdays: Ypsilanti Marketplace (16 S Washington St, 3 – 7pm) |
| Home Delivery | Not Available | Not Available |
| Ordering | SIGN UP | SIGN UP |
Detroit
| City Commons CSA | Deeply Rooted Produce | Dancing Meadows Homestead | Keep Growing Detroit | |
| Style* | Choice | Pre-packed Box | Pre-packed Box | Choice |
| Length of Program | June – October | June – August (15 weeks) or June – November (28 weeks) | June – October (20 weeks) | June – November |
| Frequency of Pick Up of Delivery | Determined by Customer | weekly or bi-weekly | weekly or bi-weekly | Determined by Customer |
| Price | Varies | $300 – $425** (for the entire season) | $242 -$1,040** (for the entire season) | Varies |
| Payment Options | Cash Credit Card SNAP/EBT (P-EBT) DUFB | Cash Credit Card SNAP/EBT (P-EBT) WIC Project Fresh | Cash Credit Card SNAP/EBT (P-EBT) DUFB | Cash Credit Card SNAP/EBT (P-EBT) DUFB |
| SNAP Eligible Pick-Up Locations and Times | Tuesdays: Villekulla Flowers (3393 E Ferry St, 5-7 PM) Available JUNE 13th | Thursdays: East Warren Farmers Market (16836 E. Warren, 3:30 – 7 PM) | Home Delivery | Thursdays: Keep Growing Detroit (1850 Erskine Street, 4-6 PM) |
| Home Delivery | No | Yes; Tues – Fri ($5-12/week) | Yes; (included in share price) | Yes (free for SNAP users) |
| Ordering | SIGN UP | SIGN UP | SIGN UP | SIGN UP |
*Style
Pre-packed box: a mixture of vegetables selected by the farm for the customer
Choice: customer selects the vegetables they want from a list of what the farm has available
**Price
Customers paying with SNAP/EBT (Bridge Card) are charged a weekly fee instead of paying all costs up front. For example, if you purchase a 20 week box valued at $300, your Bridge Card would be charged $15 per week for the 20 weeks of the program.
This project is supported with funds from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.