If you're paying attention to the urban agriculture scene in this country, you've no doubt read about Detroit—how its residents are turning vacant lots into community gardens and selling organic produce to Eastern Market and local restaurants. Leading the way is the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN) and its D-town Farm, run by food justice advocate Malik Yakini.
I heard Yakini, a Detroit native, speak at a food justice conference a few months ago and liked him instantly. Sporting a colorful batik tunic and long dreds, he started his talk by admitting that he was starving—"I'm gonna go find a muffin so I can be food secure," he said, to a round of laughter. I was impressed by what he had to say about food security in his home town (controversially: maybe grocery stores aren't THE solution to food deserts) and the importance, especially in the African American community, of controlling the means of access to whole foods.
Intrigued, I interviewed Yakini last month for the Faster Times.
Comments