Building the Good Food Revolution

The city of Detroit represents a vital context for understanding how grassroots, citizen-based movements transform the political and economic environment of a postindustrial city. The Detroit Black Community Food Security Network has developed as a leader in addressing the food system needs of the citizens of Detroit.  In a lecture/powerpoint format, the session organizers will identify the goals and major programs of the organization, along with a discussion of the larger historical context of the urban gardening movement in Detroit.
 
The Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN) was formed to build food security in Detroit’s Black community by: 1) promoting urban agriculture; 2) encouraging cooperative food buying programs; and 3) promoting healthy eating habits.  The purpose of this session is to describe how DBCFSN fulfills its purpose through its various educational programs (e.g., workshops, annual harvest festival), partnerships with local schools, the UJAMAA cooperative buying program, and two-acre D-Town Farm.  In addition, workshop facilitators will discuss DBCFSN’s central role in raising awareness of food issues through policy (supporting development of Detroit Food Policy Council, which was accepted unanimously by Detroit City Council), partnerships (Growing Power, Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Living, SEED-Wayne, ) and community conversations, such as the “Race, Food and Resistance:  Conversations about race and the urban gardening movement in Detroit;” a collaborative series of ongoing discussions  with urban farmers from diverse racial and ethnic groups.  In addition, facilitators will share lessons learned over the years and how other organizations can benefit from DBCFSN’s experiences.

Click here for Dr. Monica M. White's Bio & Malik Yakini's Bio.