DETROIT, Mich. — A Detroit group that has spent two decades teaching neighbors to grow their own food is pressing its case as grocery costs and food access weigh on voters heading into Tuesday’s election.
The Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, which marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, runs an organic farm and a food co-op and meets with local governments, using the city as a starting point it hopes other places will copy. The group encourages residents to eat produce raised by themselves or people nearby.
The need is large. The Detroit Food Policy Council puts the share of city households facing food insecurity at 69%. Nationally, about 53 million Americans are estimated to live in food deserts, low-income areas without easy access to a supermarket, and places with poor access see more obesity, heart disease and cancer.
The network defines Black food sovereignty as the right of Black people of African heritage to healthy, culturally fitting food grown with sustainable methods, and to shape their own food systems. Its farm manager said the group also works on policy. To mark the milestone, it is asking supporters for $20 anniversary gifts.
Filed under: Detroit MI Food News
