DETROIT (WWJ) -- You can now bring the farmers' market to your doorstep with the help of a Midwestern food delivery hub that delivers all throughout Metro Detroit.
In an effort to help small family farmers and artisans like his father, co-founder and CEO of Market Wagon, Nick Carter, launched a start-up to provide a way for them to get their products to customers.
Beginning in 2016, the Indianapolis-based company was delivering to six cities in Indiana and Ohio with a plan to expand -- until the pandemic hit in 2020.
When traditional farmers' markets and restaurants shut down overnight, Carter said there was a demand by food producers to connect directly with customers.
As of right now, Market Wagon -- comprised of more than 55 farmers and food producers with more than 800 products -- delivers to 4.3 million people throughout nine counties in Southeast Michigan every Tuesday.
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No shipping or post office is needed, because everything is hand-delivered to customers' homes by a team of drivers. And matter where you live and no matter how much you buy, the delivery fee will always be a flat $6.95 fee.
While today there are nearly 2,000 food producers and artisans who partner with Market Wagon, it began on one small Midwestern farm -- Honey Creek Farm -- located in southern Howard County, Indiana.
Carter grew up on that 80 acre farm -- raising animals like beef, dairy, pork and ducks as well as crops like barley, wheat, alfalfa, corn and soybeans.
As a teenager, Carter knew he had to look away from farming after he talked with his high school guidance counselor about plans after high school.
“Farming was nowhere on the table,” he said. “It was not one of the career options.”
By this time, Nick said a passion for entrepreneurship had emerged. He ended up starting his first business at the age of 16, selling auto parts online.
But after leaving college and struggling to find a successful entrepreneurial idea, Nick said he sat back and pondered on what he wanted to do next. That's when he thought back to his childhood and the farm.
That's where Market Wagon emerged, and Honey Creek Farm became the first official vendor.
For a full look at the delivery map click here. To place an order, click here.
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