Week 3: Observations @ FoodLab

I’ve had some time these last three weeks here at FoodLab to reflect on and digest my thoughts about this new and exciting environment. Working with the ladies at FoodLab and all the Green Garagers has been really impactful. Everyday I come into work, I’m greeted by happy faces and immersed in a community that is committed to loving and respecting each other and the environment around them. Being immersed in this “triple-bottom-line” model has been a really eye-opening experience in terms of exposing how destructive businesses can be for communities and the planet, but has shown me that there are sustainable alternative practices that benefit everyone. 

The concept of building an organization (a community) with a “triple bottom line” was something I had not previously been accustomed to before working with FoodLab and the Green Garage, but now see as an important consideration for virtually anybody (not just businesses/organizations). This “triple bottom line” model simply refers to operating with people/the community and the planet in mind (not simply the economic bottom line). This is something I think is very applicable to daily life, and definitely hope to take forward with me in August. 

One thing that has really struck me over the course of the last few weeks with FoodLab is just the power that people have to connect with one another and act in such a way that strengthens the sense of community, well-being, and wholeness within a group. This is something that I can see everyday within the Green Garage, but also within the FoodLab member business community. This emphasis on loving, supporting and uplifting the members of your community is something that transcends the Green Garage walls, and can be seen in all interactions that FoodLab has with members, allies, and partners.

While I haven’t yet gotten a chance to interact with these community members in a face-to-face setting, I’ve been able to observe the values of the FoodLab community through the discussion page on Facebook. Throughout the week, this community of good-food entrepreneurs posts about their struggles and triumphs, and receive an abundance of support from over 200 other FoodLab members. All of these “FoodLabbers” are committed to operating under a “triple-bottom-line” model, and are actively working to bring a more just and sustainable food system to the city of Detroit. Of course, this is not a possibility unless people come together to create an ecosystem that enables the “good-food movement” to grow. This community knows that, and they work to accomplish that every single day. It is a beautiful thing to see – even if it is just an online discussion board right now. I can’t wait to spend time with this community and see it for myself over the course of these next two weeks as I begin interviewing for my research project!

Below is a picture of the owners of Detroit Vegan Soul (a FoodLab member business) after having just purchased the building that will become their second location in Grandmont-Rosedale. I love this picture not simply because of the absolute joy on the owners’ faces, but also for the enthusiasm and support it generated once the good news was shared with the FoodLab community. Not to mention what an incredible impact Detroit Vegan Soul will have on the Grandmont-Rosedale neighborhood. They’ll soon be able to offer healthy, affordable and delicious vegan soul food to yet another community! The love and excitement that surrounds this “good-food” community truly has been inspirational and it gives me hope that some day healthy food will be a sustainable reality for all Detroiters.