The DFPC is...
The DFPC is an education, advocacy and policy organization led by Detroiters committed to creating a sustainable, local food system that promotes food security, food justice and food sovereignty in the city of Detroit.
Who We Are
The Detroit Food Policy Council was established in 2009 by unanimous approval of The Detroit City Council after community action led by the Detroit Black Community Food Security (now Sovereignty) Network; supported by the late Detroit City Council Member, Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson. The DFPC is an implementation, monitoring and advisory body and consists of twenty-three (23) members, including fifteen (15) representatives from various sectors of the Food System, four (4) “at-large” representatives, one (1) youth representative and three (3) governmental representatives, one each from the Mayor’s Office, City Council and the Detroit Health Department.
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MISSION:
To influence policy which ensures the development and maintenance of a sustainable and equitable food system, resulting in a food-secure City of Detroit in which all of its residents are hunger-free, healthy, and benefiting from a robust food system.
VISION:
Residents of the City of Detroit are educated about healthy food choices and understand their relationship to, and benefit from policies that promote food security, food justice and food sovereignty. We envision a city of Detroit that has a healthy, vibrant, hunger-free populace with easy access to affordable fresh produce and other healthy food choices. In the City of Detroit urban agriculture, composting operate sustainably and contribute to the City’s social and economic vitality All residents, workers, and visitors are treated with respect, justice and dignity by those from whom they provide and obtain food.
VALUES:
The Detroit Food Policy Council is committed to assessing information and developing solutions for the benefit of, and with accountability to, the people of Detroit. We respect the past and are focused on forward movement, seeing beyond the immediate or short term impact of our actions. We use a consensus decision making model whereby all voices are heard and all those making decisions are willing to fully support implementation of decisions made. With this in mind, the DFPC has adopted the following values to guide our work.
JUSTICE:
To actively work for racial equity and healing. To challenge institutional and structural systems that perpetuate injustice of all kinds and do not take into account those most adversely affected by inequities in the food system.
RESPECT:
To honor each person’s humanity by recognizing that every individual has value. To actively listen to others, be open-minded and seek common ground in spite of differences. To create safe space where everyone can speak their mind without fear of being ignored, judged, or demeaned.
INTEGRITY:
To demonstrate consistency between words and actions. To be honest and trustworthy and to act in keeping with our stated values and goals.
INCLUSION:
To actively develop leadership and seek participation from Detroiters, especially those who are most impacted by the lack of access, justice, and sovereignty in the local food system.
TRANSPARENCY:
To operate with openness with each other and the public with the goal of being accountable to our fellow Detroiters. To create and implement processes that are consistent with our values and goals.
Detroit Food Policy Council Roster
DFPC Staff Members
Cheryl Simon
Interim Executive Director
Amy Kuras
Program Manager
Phil Jones
Community Food Specialist
Amy Kuras
Program Manager
Winona Bynum
Executive Director
Phil Jones
Community Food Specialist
MORE MEMBERS ▼
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Executive Committee Officers
PATRICE BROWN
CHAIR
Eastern Market Corporation
Wholesale Food Distributors
KEVIN FRANK
VICE CHAIR
DPSCD Office of School Nutrition
K-12 Schools
ALYSSA BEAVERS, PhD.
TREASURER
Nutrition & Well-Being
DAZMONIQUE CARR
SECRETARY
At Large
ADDITIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS
IKAJAYE AMENSUA
Liberated Farms
Sustainable Agriculture
HODARI BROWN
Triumph Church
Faith Community
SONIA BROWN
Auntie Na’s House
At Large
KEVIN DEBS
Food System Workers
SARA ELBOHY
City of Detroit Planning Dept
Emergency Food
CLARA GAMALSKI
Institutional Food
YOLANDA HILL-ASHFORD
Detroit Health Department
Appointee
SHELBY HOLMES
At Large
DETRA IVERSON
Maternal and Child Health
JASON LINDY
Urban Planning
NYA MARSHALL
Institutional Food
LASHAWNA MANIGAULT
Mayor’s Office
Appointee
ASHA MCELROY
At Large, Youth
DOLORES PERALES
Environmental Justice
DEBRA WINFREY
At Large
VACANT POSITIONS
VACANT
At Large
VACANT
City Council Appointee
VACANT
Colleges & Universities
VACANT
Faith Community
VACANT
Farmer’s Markets
VACANT
Food Industry Workers
VACANT
Food Processors
VACANT
Maternal & Child Health
VACANT
Retail Food Stores
Committees
The Detroit Food Policy Council convenes committees to carry out the objectives outlined in our Strategic Plan. For more information on our committees visit the links below or go to our Committees Page. The Research and Policy Committee, Education and Engagement Committee and Youth Programs Committee are open to participation from community members.
Knowledge Center Resources
Reports
The Detroit Food Policy Council regularly produces and disseminates City of Detroit Food System Reports that assesses the state of the city’s food system, including activities in production, distribution, consumption, waste generation and composting, nutrition and food assistance program participation and innovative food system programs.
Articles
Below is a list of articles published by the Detroit Food Policy Council to highlight news and events in the local food system:
The Wayne State University Farmers Market means many things to many people
by Kami Pothukuchi, Ph.D, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on June 6, 2013
Detroit’s Food System: Planting seeds of resillience in our communities
by Myra Lee, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 30, 2013
Turn vacant land into small farmsteads
by Dan Carmody, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 22, 2013
Physical fitness tips to help you remember the garden, not the aches
by Suezette Olaker, M.D., The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 20, 2013
Spring has sprung with April showers and farmers markets
by Jerry Ann Hebron, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 28, 2013
Youth movement shows readiness to lead at Detroit Food 2013
by Cheryl A. Simon, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 19, 2013
by Marilyn Barber, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 11, 2013
A common theme throughout the Detroit Future City framwork
by Sandra Turner-Handy, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 28, 2013
‘What’s on your plate?’ gathers Detroiters to activate and celebrate our local food system
by Kibibi Blount-Dorn, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 25, 2013
by Ashley Atkinson, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 15, 2013
Child hunger demands an immediate response
by DeWayne Wells, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 8, 2013
Land, food security and social justoce
by Malik Yakini, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 28, 2013
Detroit Food 2013: What’s on your plate?
by Kibibi Blount-Dorn, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 22, 2013
Keeping community in urban agriculture
by Roxanne M. Moore, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 16, 2013
by Phil Jones, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 1, 2013
Half way there: Eastern Market transforming ahead of 125th anniversary
by Dan Carmody, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on January 20, 2013
Organizing Docs
Food Map
The Detroit Food Policy Council regularly produces and disseminates City of Detroit Food System Reports that assesses the state of the city’s food system, including activities in production, distribution, consumption, waste generation and composting, nutrition and food assistance program participation and innovative food system programs.
Below is a list of articles published by the Detroit Food Policy Council to highlight news and events in the local food system:
The Wayne State University Farmers Market means many things to many people
— by Kami Pothukuchi, Ph.D, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on June 6, 2013
Detroit’s Food System: Planting seeds of resillience in our communities
— by Myra Lee, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 30, 2013
Turn vacant land into small farmsteads
— by Dan Carmody, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 22, 2013
Physical fitness tips to help you remember the garden, not the aches
— by Suezette Olaker, M.D., The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 20, 2013
Spring has sprung with April showers and farmers markets
— by Jerry Ann Hebron, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 28, 2013
Youth movement shows readiness to lead at Detroit Food 2013
— by Cheryl A. Simon, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 19, 2013
— by Marilyn Barber, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 11, 2013
A common theme throughout the Detroit Future City framwork
— by Sandra Turner-Handy, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 28, 2013
‘What’s on your plate?’ gathers Detroiters to activate and celebrate our local food system
— by Kibibi Blount-Dorn, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 25, 2013
— by Ashley Atkinson, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 15, 2013
Child hunger demands an immediate response
— by DeWayne Wells, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 8, 2013
Land, food security and social justoce
— by Malik Yakini, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 28, 2013
Detroit Food 2013: What’s on your plate?
— by Kibibi Blount-Dorn, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 22, 2013
Keeping community in urban agriculture
— by Roxanne M. Moore, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 16, 2013
— by Phil Jones, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 1, 2013
Half way there: Eastern Market transforming ahead of 125th anniversary
— by Dan Carmody, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on January 20, 2013
| DFPC Documents | 2019 Bi-Monthly Meeting Notes | 2018 Bi-Monthly Meeting Notes |
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| 2017 Quarterly Meeting Notes | 2016 Monthly Meeting Notes | 2015 Monthly Meeting Notes |
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| 2014 Quarterly Meeting Notes | ||
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Alliance for Youth Good Food
The Alliance for Youth Good Food is a group of Detroit-based organizations maximizing the impact of good food programming for Detroit youth. The Alliance has developed this database of organizations and programming focused on healthy food access for Detroit’s youth.
If you would like to have your organization added to the database or to get involved with AYGF, contact: addell.anderson@foodcorps.org
View Programming
View Organizations
Provider Login
Reports
The Detroit Food Policy Council regularly produces and disseminates City of Detroit Food System Reports that assesses the state of the city’s food system, including activities in production, distribution, consumption, waste generation and composting, nutrition and food assistance program participation and innovative food system programs.
DFPC Special Reports |
| 2017 Creating a Food Secure Detroit: Policy Review & Update |
| DFPC Report-Public Land Sale Process in Detroit: A Community Perspective |
| Strengthening SNAP On A Dime Report |
Other Reports |
| Economic Analysis of Detroit’s Food System |
| Urban Agriculture Ordinance Summary |
Articles
Below is a list of articles published by the Detroit Food Policy Council to highlight news and events in the local food system:
The Wayne State University Farmers Market means many things to many people
— by Kami Pothukuchi, Ph.D, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on June 6, 2013
Detroit’s Food System: Planting seeds of resillience in our communities
— by Myra Lee, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 30, 2013
Turn vacant land into small farmsteads
— by Dan Carmody, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 22, 2013
Physical fitness tips to help you remember the garden, not the aches
— by Suezette Olaker, M.D., The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on May 20, 2013
Spring has sprung with April showers and farmers markets
— by Jerry Ann Hebron, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 28, 2013
Youth movement shows readiness to lead at Detroit Food 2013
— by Cheryl A. Simon, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 19, 2013
— by Marilyn Barber, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on April 11, 2013
A common theme throughout the Detroit Future City framwork
— by Sandra Turner-Handy, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 28, 2013
‘What’s on your plate?’ gathers Detroiters to activate and celebrate our local food system
— by Kibibi Blount-Dorn, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 25, 2013
— by Ashley Atkinson, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 15, 2013
Child hunger demands an immediate response
— by DeWayne Wells, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on March 8, 2013
Land, food security and social justoce
— by Malik Yakini, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 28, 2013
Detroit Food 2013: What’s on your plate?
— by Kibibi Blount-Dorn, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 22, 2013
Keeping community in urban agriculture
— by Roxanne M. Moore, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 16, 2013
— by Phil Jones, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on February 1, 2013
Half way there: Eastern Market transforming ahead of 125th anniversary
— by Dan Carmody, The Michigan Citizen Newspaper on January 20, 2013
Organizing Docs
DFPC Documents | 2019 Bi-Monthly Meeting Notes |
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2018 Bi-Monthly Meeting Notes | 2017 Quarterly Meeting Notes |
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2016 Monthly Meeting Notes | 2015 Monthly Meeting Notes |
2014 Monthly Meeting Notes | |
|
Food Map
AYGF
Alliance for Youth Good Food
The Alliance for Youth Good Food is a group of Detroit-based organizations maximizing the impact of good food programming for Detroit youth. The Alliance has developed this database of organizations and programming focused on healthy food access for Detroit’s youth.
If you would like to have your organization added to the database or to get involved with AYGF, contact: addell.anderson@foodcorps.org
View Programming
View Organizations
Provider Login
Food Secure Detroit
Thanks to the Rapid Response Initiative, a program that was the direct outcome of the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities created by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and chaired by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, the Detroit Food Policy Council was awarded $1 Million dollars. That award was shared with other grassroots organizations that are helping Detroiters weather the devastating effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic as a part of the Food Secure Detroit Project from October 1 – December 30, 2020. Our partner organizations served thousands of Detroiters, and their work continues. Learn more about each organization below.
Thanks to the Rapid Response Initiative, a program that was the direct outcome of the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities created by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and chaired by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, the Detroit Food Policy Council was awarded $1 Million dollars. That award was shared with other grassroots organizations that are helping Detroiters weather the devastating effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic as a part of the Food Secure Detroit Project from October 1 – December 30, 2020. Our partner organizations served thousands of Detroiters, and their work continues. Learn more about each organization below.
SNAP Program
Walking the tightrope? Rely on the safety net.
The pandemic has caused job losses and financial hardship for people who never thought they would need to ask for help like food stamps (now called SNAP) or go to a food pantry. It can be hard to get your head around the idea that you need help. You have likely paid taxes for years to fund this help for other people; now that you need it, it’s here for you. If you think you may qualify, please make sure to apply.
I don’t even know where to start. Where do I apply?
Start online at Michigan.gov/mibridges, where you can fill out one application for SNAP, WIC (a program for pregnant women and children under five that allows you to choose certain healthy foods), and even public assistance and heating help.
I have some savings and a car, and I earn some money. Can I still apply?
The maximum amount of money you can have in the bank is $2,000 unless you live with someone with a disability or over the age of 60. That doesn’t count retirement savings or your most recent tax returns. One car won’t count against you, unless it’s valued at over $15,000. For a family of four, the maximum income allowed to qualify for SNAP is $34,060.
What can I actually buy with SNAP?
You can buy any food meant for people, except hot foods, at any authorized SNAP retailer. You can also buy seeds and plants to start a garden for your family. You can’t buy alcohol or tobacco.
I don’t want to take away from someone who needs it more, so should I apply?
SNAP funding expands and contracts based on need. Funding depends on the number of people who need it and there is not a cap on funds.
WEBSITE:
Detroit Food Academy
Detroit Food Academy (DFA) inspires young Detroiters and families to grow as leaders through the power of hands-on, good food programming. Since the start of the pandemic, DFA has transitioned their food programs online, cooking each week with their students and practicing fundamental, lifelong culinary knowledge and skills that allow families to improve their diets and do more home-cooking.
WEBSITE:
Keep Growing Detroit
Keep Growing Detroit is dedicated to food sovereignty and community engagement in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. During the pandemic KGD has hosted online workshops and contactless curbside distributions featuring Detroit-grown produce, pantry staples, and affordable cooking and gardening supplies to promote healthy cooking, eating, and gardening activities across the city.
WEBSITE:
Make Food Not Waste
Make Food Not Waste is a community of people who know that food is better eaten than wasted. It’s better for your budget, better for our community, and better for our planet. During the pandemic MFNW has held the Holiday Season Food Program. The program consists of a large scale Thanksgiving distribution and meal distribution throughout December to support the community. The distributions boxes include food and educational content related to nutrition, home cooking and maximizing food at home.
WEBSITE:
Oakland Avenue Urban Farm
The Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, a program of North End Christian Community Development Corporation, is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to cultivating healthy foods, sustainable economies, and active cultural environments. During the pandemic Oakland Avenue has become an emergency food hub working with local restaurants, chefs and other partners to resource perishable and non-perishable foods to their community. In addition, perishable food boxes, PPE and herbs are being provided to the community in partnership with Food Rescue US.. Virtual cooking and nutrition classes are also taking place.
WEBSITE:
Soulardarity
Soulardarity is building a brighter future in Highland Park with education, organizing, and people-powered clean energy. During the pandemic Soulardarity is creating and distributing household resilience packages that include food, water, and emergency supplies for the average household to weather a short-term emergency.
WEBSITE:
Kids' Health Connections
Kids’ Health Connections (KHC) strives to improve quality, access, and health outcomes for children and families throughout Southeastern Michigan. KHC started as a Children’s Healthcare Access Program (CHAP) for Wayne County, and has since expanded to include Macomb and Oakland counties. The CHAP model began to address a community need for improved access to quality healthcare for children on Medicaid. By working collaboratively in the community, KHC addresses barriers preventing children and families in our communities from attaining positive health outcomes. KHC’s Food Secure Detroit project includes reaching out to over 1000 families within KHC’s database to assess need and desire for Eastern Market food boxes, as well as a prepared Thanksgiving meal.
WEBSITE:
Saffron De Twah
Through an initiative called Saffron Community Kitchen hosted by award-winning modern Moroccan restaurant Saffron De Twah, Saffron De Twah is providing nutritious and delicious meal options for families with barriers to food in Detroit at a low cost rate. In addition, Chef Omar is preparing and leading two online cooking classes in order to teach community members how to prepare healthy and tasty meals in their own kitchens.
WEBSITE:
Events
The Detroit Food Policy Council conducts meetings as needed. All meetings are open to the public. See our calendar for the schedule of all our events and meetings on our Events Page.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Detroit Food 2024: Create, Collaborate, Celebrate!
Thur, September 26 –
Fri, September 27, 2024
Fri, September 27, 2024
9:00am – 5:00pm
Join 100+ of Detroit’s most dedicated food advocates for two days of learning, community with like-minded people, and a lot of fun!
LOCATION:
Marygrove College
8425 West McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221
Marygrove College
8425 West McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221
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Committee Meetings
Contact Us
STAFF:
Cheryl Simon
Interim Executive Director
Cheryl@DetroitFoodPC.org
Amy Kuras
Program Manager, Research & Policy
Amy@DetroitFoodPC.org
Phil Jones
Community Food Specialist
Phil@DetroitFoodPC.org
CONTACT INFO:
ADDRESS:
Detroit Food Policy Council
Julian C. Madison Building
1420 Washington Blvd.
Suite 230
Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit Urban Farming Coalition Seeks Slate Endorsement
DUUAAC sponsors slate of candidates for newly formed USDA Urban Ag Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for a new 12-member national advisory committee on urban agriculture, as part of a broader effort to focus on the needs of urban farmers. To ensure that there is ample representation of Detroit’s urban agricultural needs on the national committee, a group of Detroit Urban Ag leaders, named the Detroit USDA Urban Ag Advisory Committee Support Network (DUUAAC) have come together to develop a slate of potential candidates.
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Committees
The Detroit Food Policy Council convenes committees to carry out the objectives outlined in our Strategic Plan. For more information on our committees visit the links below or go to our Committees Page. The Research and Policy Committee, Education and Engagement Committee and Youth Programs Committee are open to participation from community members.