Ypsilanti’s Growing Hope Food Fest is returning with an expanded lineup of family activities, free programming and opportunities for residents to support local food entrepreneurs. The Food Fest will take place at the University Bank Commerce Center at 301 W. Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti Saturday, Aug. 15. The festival will commence at 12 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.
The event is organized by Growing Hope, an Ypsilanti food sovereignty organization that works across local food systems. From growing produce and providing education, Food Fest goes all the way to supporting food entrepreneurs through its downtown incubator kitchen.
Growing Hope organizers say the festival is designed to give local hot food vendors an opportunity to build their customer base, earn money and connect with the community.
“We have our hand in everything from seed until it is complete,” Dante Bland, a Growing Hope organizer said.
While food remains at the center of the festival, organizers have added more activities for children this year. From 1-4 p.m., the Ypsilanti District Library bookmobile and Ypsilanti Fire Department will make appearances. Children will also be able to explore a food truck, get their faces painted for free and enjoy a bounce house.
The festival will also feature an animal interaction experience from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Local educator Ahmed Ward of Ward's World of Reptile Propagation will bring reptiles and other animals for children and families to see, touch and learn about. The experience was popular during last year’s festival, and organizers decided to expand it this year.
Another focus of the event is making the festival accessible to residents who may have difficulty affording food. Growing Hope will also provide sponsored meal tickets worth $20 for individuals experiencing food insecurities.
For Growing Hope, the festival is also a reflection of Ypsilanti’s growing food and entrepreneurial scene.
“We have a very cool and diverse food scene that has even more growth potential with the right support,” Bland said.
