ROOTED IN RIVERBEND: CLOSING THE FOOD LOOP
Rooted in Riverbend: Closing the Food Loop brings neighbors together through local food, wellness, and sustainability. With free workshops on cooking, gardening, composting, walking clubs, and fresh food access, this project offers hands-on ways to connect and grow a healthier community.
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Rooted in Riverbend: Closing the Food Loop is part of the Healthy Community Zones Initiative to cultivate food sovereignty and community resilience in Detroit's Riverbend neighborhood. Through hands-on workshops, CSA distribution, composting programs, cooking classes, and community events, this project aims to increase food access, improve health outcomes, and build stronger neighborhood connections.
The program is a collaborative effort led by Sanctuary Farms and supported by partners including Taste the Local Difference, Sacred Spaces, Midtown Composting, Make Food Not Waste, EcoSphere Organics, and Alkebu-lan Village.
CSA DISTRIBUTIONS
Rooted in Riverbend connects neighbors through fresh food and wellness. Pick up your free produce and take part in building a healthy food system.
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June 20
July 3
July 18
August 1
August 15
August 29
September 12
September 26
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Sanctuary Farms
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City Commons Cooperative is a cooperative of seven farms all located in the city of Detroit. We started in 2012 with only fifteen customers and now provide food to over 100 households in the metro Detroit area. We grow food and flowers using organic methods and work to be assets in making our neighborhoods more beautiful and healthier places to live. Our primary sales channel is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
COOKING CLASSES
Learn how to cook healthy, delicious meals with local ingredients you can access right in your neighborhood. These hands-on classes are led by community chef and educator Shanel Adams.
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June 18
July 23
August 13
September 17
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June 21
July 26
August 16
September 20
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Jefferson Presbyterian Church
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Chef Shanel is an award-winning Detroit-based chef and Culinary Director at Make Food Not Waste.
With over a decade of experience, she’s been featured in The Michigan Chronicle and The HUB Detroit, and was a finalist on Food Network’s Chopped: Trash to Treasure.
Through her leadership of two Upcycling Kitchens, she transforms rescued ingredients into nutritious meals for the community. Chef Shanel brings bold flavors, deep community impact, and a passion for food justice to everything she does—making healthy, comforting meals accessible to all.
Interested in attending? Please fill out this survey prior to attending the class so we can accommodate your skill-level.
COMPOSTING CLASSES
We’re empowering neighbors to turn food scraps into soil through community composting and hands-on learning. Learn how to compost at home and contribute to community composting efforts. Parker Jean leads each session, which covers a different skill and aligns with CSA days.
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May 30
Basics of CompostJune 20
Pile FormationJuly 18
Temperature MonitoringAugust 29
Finished CompostSeptember 20 (Block Party)
Applying CompostSeptember 26
Screening Compost -
Sanctuary Farms
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As the co-founder of Sanctuary Farms, Parker Jean leads the operations of the farm, compost operation and nature sanctuary. With a background in ecology and many years of hands-on experience in gardening, Parker brings a deep understanding of soil health, native plants, and regenerative growing practices to every class. Parker's teaching style emphasizes practical skills, environmental stewardship, and reconnecting people with the land.
GARDENING WORKSHOPS
Rooted in Riverbend helps neighbors grow their own food and knowledge through monthly gardening events at Sanctuary Farms. Join monthly gardening workshops to gain hands-on experience growing food, managing plants, and saving seeds.
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May 10
PlantingJune 14
PruningJuly 12
HarvestingAugust 9
Weed ManagementSeptember 13
Sowing SeedsSeptember 20 (Block Party)
BeesOctober TBD
Seed Saving Day -
Sanctuary Farms
WALKING CLUB
We’re bringing people together for healthy habits, fresh air, and connection—join the weekly walking club. Stay active and connect with neighbors during weekly walking meetups, held every Saturday morning.
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June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
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Meet at Sanctuary Farms
BLOCK PARTY
Rooted in Riverbend hosts a day of food, fun, and connection—celebrate with us at the community block party! Celebrate community with an afternoon of food, learning, and fun! Enjoy cooking demos, compost workshops, and a bee class.
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Sanctuary Farms & surrounding area
