I have recently fallen in love with Eastern Market. It's no secret that it's a Detroit gem, but I feel the need to spread the love.
It all started with Styrofoam. Stupidly abundant, non-recyclable styrofoam. Or so I thought! (the non-recyclable part...it really is EVERYWHERE). I discovered earlier this year that styrofoam is indeed recyclable, however most waste management companies don't accept it because the post consumer product isn't worth much money so it isn't worth it to them to process it.
Recycle Here! is a phenomenal recycling program in Detroit. I won't go on about it...read about it here, but I will say that the best part (in my eyes) is the mobile recycling program. And that's where Eastern Market comes in. On the first Saturday of the month, the Recycle Here! truck is parked in the parking lot on the corner of Wilkins & Russell (by Chase bank). The logo on the truck is hard to miss.
I'm lucky enough to have curbside recycling pickup in my city, but because Oakland County doesn't recycle Styrofoam, I use the mobile facility at Eastern Market to responsibly dispose of it. I collect from work as well as from home and I am continuously amazed at how much I collect each month.
Ok, that's the theme-appropriate portion of my blog...the rest will be a small highlight of my solo trip to the market last weekend.
It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday and I just didn't want to be stuck in the house. I knew I'd have to rake up a yard full of leaves later that afternoon, so I decided to enjoy my morning at Eastern Market. It happened to be the first Saturday of the month, so I loaded up my car with the Styrofoam I had collected over the past several weeks. I parked near the truck and unloaded the goods first before heading down the block to where the action is.
I grabbed a coffee from the coffee cart, and strolled past the tables of produce and flowers. I didn't need to buy much that day, but took the opportunity to grab a fresh stalk (?) of brussels sprouts and a spaghetti squash (two of my favorite autumn veggies!) I also decided to buy a beautiful pot of mums to leave at my dad's grave during my visit later that afternoon. So I didn't walk away with an abundance of produce like I had a few weeks prior during my visit with Mom and Jason, but walking through the market alone without a shopping list was in itself very enjoyable and inspiring. I was able to really take in the beautiful colors, the rich aromas, and the energetic sounds of the crowd, and feel proud and excited to walk through the sheds with my peers and neighbors.
adding some fresh color to the fake flowers my Grandma planted (yea...I know...)
Gave a couple to my Dido (Grandpa) too.
My $10 bounty from a few weeks prior
(these veggies contributed to a pot of beef stew, two homemade pizzas, two omeletes, a pot of pasta and a crap load of roasted brussels spouts (split between 3 people.) )
