The Detroit People’s Food Co-op, an African American-led, community-owned grocery cooperative, is bringing something fresh to the area soon.
The co-op is mission-led to provide improved access to healthy food and food education to Detroit residents. Meeting the needs of the community is achieved through the democratic control of the co-op by its members/owners.
During a Saturday celebration this weekend, attendees can see firsthand the new developments of the grocery cooperative by attending a groundbreaking ceremony from 1-2 p.m.; a community celebration follows immediately afterward from 2 to 4 p.m. at 8324 Woodward Ave. at Euclid Street in Detroit. Attendees can RSVP to tjackson@realtimesmedia.com.
Access to fresh food is something desperately needed in many underrepresented communities. A local Detroit activist and farmer, Malik Yakini, is working to lead the change on bringing the city a sustainable source for food in building one of the city’s few Black-led grocery stores.
Yakini is the executive director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). Formed in 2006 to bring awareness to food insecurities across Detroit’s Black neighborhoods. DBCFSN supports some local markets, grocers, and restaurants through its operations with D-Town Farm, the largest Detroit farm and garden community and now the soon-to-be co-op.
“It’s critical (food security),” Yakini told the Michigan Chronicle previously. “I mean clearly, food is one of our most vital needs. We don’t survive without it for too long. So, I would venture to say there are very few things more important than our access to high-quality food,” says Yakini. “At the present time, clearly we don’t control that access in the city of Detroit.”
Now, with the help of DBCFSN and some local community owners, Detroit’s Black residents will see a space where purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, with no additives or pesticides, will be just a drive, or walk, away.
“We think that food cooperatives are one of the key things that need to be developed in Black communities if we’re going to control the food supply in our communities,” says Yakini.
Staff Writer Megan Kirk contributed to this report.
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