Eastern Market has opened a new shed with a very specific purpose in mind, adding to its stature as one of the world’s largest outdoor marketplaces.
Shed 7 is a new 43,000-square-foot wholesale distribution facility designed to support Michigan farmers, food producers, and wholesale buyers, while strengthening Detroit’s role in the state’s food economy.
Located in Detroit’s historic market district, the new facility brings expanded infrastructure and distribution capacity to one of the city’s most important food hubs. Shed 7 includes RJR Distribution as its major wholesale anchor, five individual cold storage suites for regional farmers, and dedicated cooler and freezer space for Detroit farmers. The facility is expected to improve produce distribution, create stronger connections between growers and buyers and increase access to fresh food throughout the region.
The opening is a major milestone for Eastern Market and its ongoing efforts to support Michigan’s agricultural sector through investments in modern food infrastructure.
“For more than 130 years, Eastern Market has served as a vital link between farmers and consumers,” Katy Trudeau, CEO and President of Eastern Market, said in a statement. “At a time when farmers are facing increasing economic pressures and market challenges, Shed 7 will help connect them with buyers, distribution channels and new opportunities for growth. That is essential to building a resilient food economy for the future.”
The $16.6 million project was funded through a combination of public and private investments. Key partners include the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Gilbert Family Foundation, Invest Detroit, Michigan Community Capital, and Chase Bank.
Leaders involved in the project say the facility addresses critical needs within the food supply chain by creating additional storage, distribution and market access opportunities for producers across the state.
Shed 7 was developed with a focus on supporting a broad range of growers and food businesses. The facility includes dedicated space for growers of color and small-scale food entrepreneurs, helping expand access to infrastructure, and business opportunities that can support long-term growth.
“Michigan’s food and agriculture industry is a cornerstone of our state’s economy, and investments in infrastructure like Shed 7 help ensure farmers, food producers and distributors have the resources they need to grow and succeed,” said Nate Engle, Director of Community Engagement for MDARD. “This project reinforces our commitment to building a resilient food system that benefits communities across the state.”
Eastern Market serves as a destination for residents, businesses, and visitors while also functioning as a critical distribution center for food products moving throughout Southeast Michigan and beyond. The addition of Shed 7 adds new capacity to support both established operations and emerging food enterprises.
“Eastern Market is one of Detroit’s most important public spaces, bringing together residents, entrepreneurs and visitors from across the region,” said Darnell Adams, Vice President, Detroit Community Initiatives, Gilbert Family Foundation. “Shed 7 builds on that legacy by creating new pathways for small businesses, supporting local jobs and ensuring the Market remains a vibrant economic and community anchor for generations to come.”
Financial partners involved in the redevelopment emphasized the long-term economic impact of the project for Detroit and the broader agricultural community.
“The opening of Shed 7 is a proud moment for Detroit and for the farmers and food entrepreneurs who make Eastern Market a vital part of Michigan’s economy,” said Melissa Pillars, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking. “For more than 90 years, J.P. Morgan has helped make a lasting impact in this city. Our $4.65 million New Markets Tax Credit equity investment helps bring modern infrastructure to regional growers, expanding access and opportunity while preserving a historic space where the next generation of food entrepreneurs can grow and thrive for years to come.”
Michigan Community Capital provided both New Markets Tax Credits and bridge financing for the redevelopment effort. Project supporters say the investment will help maintain critical food distribution infrastructure while supporting businesses that play a key role in feeding communities throughout the region.
“Michigan Community Capital is proud to support the Shed 7 redevelopment with both New Markets Tax Credits and bridge financing,” said Liz Alexandrian, Vice President of Lending at Michigan Community Capital. “This project not only strengthens Detroit’s historic Eastern Market but also expands opportunities for small growers, urban farmers and food entrepreneurs who are vital to the city’s future. By modernizing this facility, we are helping ensure food safety, preserving critical jobs and investing in a food system that delivers fresh, healthy produce to communities across the region.”
Invest Detroit also contributed a $4.65 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation to help advance the project.
“Invest Detroit is proud to have supported this redevelopment with a $4.65 million New Market Tax Credit allocation in support of Eastern Market’s Shed 7,” said Danielle Graceffa, General Counsel at Invest Detroit. “This type of specialized, patient capital is precisely what makes transformational projects like this possible. Eastern Market is one of Detroit’s most storied institutions, and modernizing Shed 7 is exactly the kind of large-scale evolution our legacy anchors deserve. With this investment, Eastern Market is building the infrastructure for the next generation of growers, entrepreneurs, and communities to thrive.”
As farmers, food producers, and entrepreneurs continue to navigate a changing food landscape, the facility provides additional resources designed to support growth, strengthen distribution networks, and expand access to local food.
Shed 7 is another step in its mission to build a healthier, wealthier, and happier Detroit through food, Eastern Market leaders say, while creating new opportunities for the people and businesses that power Michigan’s food economy.
