Old City Acres was started in a backyard with a shovel and the sole purpose of increasing access to fresh local foods for folks in SE Michigan, and over the last decade has evolved into a year round multi-farm local food delivery business. By combining online ordering, convenient pickup locations, and year round ecological farming methods, OCA has built a community-centric flexible CSA model that continues to drive yearly growth through shared mutual investment and collaborative partnerships. A dream of strengthening the local food economy and increasing fresh food access has driven our team over the last 10 year as it continues to feed the communities of Ypsilanti, Belleville, Romulus, and Ann Arbor Year Round.
Our team partners with the most local South East Michigan Farms, Orchards, producers, and more to give you a taste of what is being grown seasonally in your local food community. By prioritizing our local farm partners needs first and investing in their operations, businesses, and future, we are able to do our small part in building a more equitable and sustainable local food network.
Our Crew
Alexander Ball is the owner/manager of Old City Acres. He started the business in 2013 with the simple goal of growing high quality fruits & veggies for those in his local community. Although his life revolves around food, in his free time he enjoys movies, hiking, and spending time with friends.
Ron Rich is a sociocultural anthropologist. He and his wife live in Ypsilanti, and both teach at Eastern Michigan University. His current research interest is in local alternative food networks and the production and marketing relationships through which small farmers make themselves viable. As part of his research, he’s worked on the farm since 2018.
Sarah Probst is a PhD candidate in psychology at the University of Michigan. When she isn’t in the lab studying babies, Sarah helps out with graphics and marketing as well as work shopping new ideas
