Elissa Slotkin Instagram – To cap our day with Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small in Detroit we visited the brand new Detroit People’s Food Co-op, an African-American led and community-owned grocery store that just celebrated its grand opening over the weekend.
Thanks to board chair Lenae Gilbert for giving us a tour. I walked away understanding the value of community buy-in, ownership, and the critical importance of supporting the next generation of community leaders.
And it was a full-circle moment for the day because the co-op is working with the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, where we started our day with the deputy secretary.
This co-op is also an example of ways U.S. Department of Agriculture funding can directly impact our communities: it was made possible by a grant awarded through the Health Food Financing Initiative, which is a USDA resource focused on improving access to healthy food in underserved areas.
And on the way in, we ran into a group from the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Initiative, another program people should check out.
I’m back in Washington to gear up for the Farm Bill markup tomorrow, and meeting with the incredible people behind the Detroit People’s Food Co-op, Oakland Avenue Urban Farm and other ag experts from around the state could not have been more perfect timing. | Posted on 22/May/2024 19:19:27
