This summer I am working with FoodLab. FoodLab’s mission is to help “design, build, and maintain systems to grow a diverse ecosystem of triple-bottom-line food businesses as part of a good food movement that is accountable to all Detroiters”. A triple-bottom-line business is an organization that not only works for profit, but also incorporates and actively promotes environmental sustainability and community engagement efforts.
I am still in the early stages of my project, but overall my summer research is geared towards identifying where the majority of food businesses in the city of Detroit are located. I will also be researching what kind of food businesses these are, and more specifically where investment/disinvestment is being made in relation to new food businesses, in Detroit, and the specific geographical placements of preexisting and newly proposed food businesses in the city. The purpose of this research is to be able to identify areas that are lacking proper funding, in order to support new sustainable food businesses, and where FoodLab can specifically help create or support new food businesses in these underserved, or underinvested in, areas that are not being given proper funding.
Regarding my first week living in Detroit, it has been a powerful experience. Even though I went to high school in this area, I never explored the city of Detroit past that area, which I now regret. During my time here, I have been able to start discovering how beautiful Detroit is as a city. I am excited to see what else I can explore in this amazing city as I progress through the program!
