Press Release – “Eat Local, Kalamazoo” event explores Detroit’s urban gardens

From a Fair Food Matters press release….

Can the burgeoning urban gardens of Detroit provide a model for Kalamazoo – and other “post-industrial” American cities?

Find out when “Eat Local, Kalamazoo” presents “The Greening of Michigan: A Vision for Post-Industrial America.” The presentation will take place Thursday, July 1 at 7 p.m. at the Douglass Community Center (1000 W. Paterson). It is free of charge and open to the public.

In the late 19th century, Detroit was called the Paris of the West for its architecture and open public spaces. Its industrial muscle soon made it one of the nation’s most populous and affluent cities.

Since 1950, Detroit has lost nearly half its population and more than 15,000 businesses. Some 70,000 vacant lots now cover one third of the city’s 139 square miles, and Detroit is now viewed as an icon of post-industrial America.

However, hope is blooming today in numerous community gardens and urban agriculture projects taking place throughout the city.

The Greening of Detroit, for example, has planted 60,079 trees, cleaned 1,379 vacant lots, and established 800 family, community and school gardens growing more than 130 tons of food since the organization began in 1989. The Detroit Free Press recently named this non-profit organization one of 16 “Michigan Green Leaders.”

For the “Greening of Michigan” event, Greening of Detroit Director of Urban Agriculture Ashley Atkinson will join local activist Olga Bonfiglio and some of Kalamazoo’s urban farmers for a look at how communities can make the transition from manufacturing to agriculture.

Detroit’s gardens produce thousands of pounds of fresh, nutritious (and typically organic) produce for its residents. A recent study from Michigan State University found that Detroit could grow 76 percent of the vegetables and 42 percent of the fruits it needs to feed its entire population. Local food production could also generate $200 million in sales and at least 5,000 jobs.

In addition, urban gardens address larger social issues, such as reducing crime, cleaning up blighted or vacant lots, connecting people to nature, nurturing leadership in citizens young and old and improving property values.

“Detroit is growing food and growing hope,” said Bonfiglio. “I haven’t seen such pride in that city since my younger years in the 1950s and early 1960s.”

“Eat Local, Kalamazoo,” a program of Fair Food Matters, is a season-long series of events designed to increase the community’s awareness of and appreciation for local food. It is led by a committee of area businesses and non-profit organizations, and is sponsored by Bravo Restaurant & Café and the People’s Food Co-op.

For the latest information on upcoming events, please visit www.eatlocalkalamazoo.org.