A decade of Detroit food access.
What we've built since 2015 — with our neighbors, our volunteers, and our funders.
- Vacant lots converted
- 13
- Vacant lots converted
- Residential gardens
- 113
- Residential gardens
- Lbs produce donated
- 1,000+
- Lbs produce donated
- Garden locations
- 3
- Garden locations
What the numbers mean on the ground.
Vacant land, brought back
Working with the Detroit Land Bank Authority, we've converted 13 vacant lots into growing space and gathering space — parcels that used to collect debris now grow food for the block.
Gardens at people's homes
113 residential gardens have been installed across Metro Detroit since 2016. Each one is built, filled, and planted free of charge, with a season of coaching so the family can keep it going.
Food that stays in the neighborhood
Over 1,000 lbs of organic produce has been donated straight back into the community — handed to neighbors at harvest days rather than trucked out of the city.
Year-round growing
The 42-foot geodesic dome at our E. Vernor site extends the season through Michigan winters, so fresh greens keep moving in months when Detroit produce normally disappears.
Recognition
Detroit institutions, national funders, and international press have all pointed at the same thing: neighbors growing food on land everyone else had written off.
- 2022Governor's Service Award — Environmental ImpactMichigan Community Service Commission
- 2022Don Life Award — Nonprofit of the YearSean Anderson Foundation
- 2020Global Change MakersMonocle, London
- 2018Highlighted for revitalizing DetroitFord Motor Company
- 2017Nonprofit Organization of the YearDetroit Food Policy Council
- 2017Shirley Moore Community Service AwardWayne Metro
Partners
Amazon