rooted in riverbend:
closing the food loop
Rooted in Riverbend brings neighbors together through local food, wellness, and sustainability.
With free workshops on gardening, cooking, and composting, as well as free fresh produce distributions, this project offers Riverbend residents and Detroiters hands-on ways to connect and grow a healthier community together.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The goal of the “Rooted in Riverbend: Closing the Food Loop” program is to bring to life what a community-led closed loop food system looks like in action. This seasonal program serves as a foundation for Sacred Spaces and our partners to cultivate food sovereignty, skill development, and community resilience in Detroit's Riverbend neighborhood.
Through hands-on workshops in gardening, cooking, and composting, alongside CSA distributions, and community events, running between April and September/October of 2026, this project aims to increase community food access, improve health outcomes, and build stronger neighborhood connections.
The program, which launched in 2025 under Sanctuary Farms, is, in 2026, a collaborative effort led by Sacred Spaces (SSp), a Riverbend-based nonprofit working to create equitable green spaces while transforming the food system through community-led land stewardship, education, and sustainable practices. With project management support from SSp’s Cat Diggs (Director of Programming) and jøn kent (Founder and Executive Director), this program is the product of a partnership with Sanctuary Farms, Sankofa Sistahs, EcoSphere Organics, Lola’s Palette, Taste the Local Difference, City Commons CSA, and Alkebu-lan Village.
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csa distributions
Rooted in Riverbend connects neighbors through fresh food access and wellness through community supported agriculture (CSA). Pick up your free produce and take part in building a healthy, localized food system in Detroit. City Commons CSA will be providing us with produce from Detroit-based farms, including Sacred Spaces.
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June 19
July 3
July 17
July 31
August 14
August 28
September 11
September 25
October 9
October 16
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Sacred Spaces
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City Commons is a cooperatively-owned and operated Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
For the last 15 years we have been providing high quality produce grown using organic methods in Detroit. In 2026, our produce will be from Adamah Farm, Bloomtown Detroit, CWO Farms, Fields of Plenty, Occupy Yourself, Sacred Spaces, Riopelle Street Farm, and Lawrence Street Farm.
gardening classes
Rooted in Riverbend strives to support neighbors in growing their own food through Sacred Spaces’ emerging gardening education programming. Join monthly gardening workshops with expert food producers, Miles Wood and Parker Jean, to gain hands-on experience growing food, managing plants, and saving seeds. At-home gardening kits will be available for students on a limited basis.
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April 11: Introduction to Gardening & Soil
May 9: Planting Seeds & Garden Planning
June 13: Soil Life & Garden Ecosystems
July 11: Garden Care & Plant Health
August 8: Harvesting & Food From the Garden
September 12: Seeds, Seasons, & Celebrations
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Sacred Spaces
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Miles Wood, Farm Manager for Sacred Spaces, is a twenty-seven year old Afro-Indigenous vegetable farmer located on the Eastside of Detroit, Michigan. He’s farmed around the state of Michigan for nearly a decade, focusing on germinating the next generation of growers and creating food systems based on fairness and justice. He is of the Earth and for the Earth (Humus, Humans, and Humility).
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As the Director of Operations for Sacred Spaces, Parker Jean will work closely with Farm Manager, Miles Wood, to bring his deep understanding of native plants, agriculture, and regenerative growing practices to each class in this program.
Through studying environmental sciences at UC Berkeley, working on forestry projects in the California Red Woods, woofing across Latin America, and co-founding Sanctuary Farms in Detroit, Parker has been on a lifelong journey to connect himself with the earth. His mission through Spaces is to create a farm that works harmoniously with the environment and the community.
cooking classes
Learn how to cook healthy, delicious meals with local, culturally-relevant ingredients you can access right in your neighborhood. These hands-on classes are led by Sankofa Sistahs.
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April 9: Introduction to Cooking
5 - 6:15pmMay 7: Garden Pizza for Culture
5 - 6:15pmJune 11: Loaded Snacks & Dips
5 - 6:15pmJuly 9: From Farm to Culture
4 - 5pmAugust 6: Bake Shop Day
4 - 5pmSeptember 10: Community Picnic
12:30 - 2pm -
Akebu-lan Village
April - August classes7701 Harper Ave
Detroit, MI 48213Sacred Spaces
September Community Picnic -
Sankofa Sistahs was founded by Chef Shay, Chef Cleo, and Chef Fran through a powerful creative partnership built in the kitchen. What set them apart wasn’t just talent—it was synergy. A shared rhythm. Complementary strengths. A deep respect for culture, sustainability, and excellence. Their chemistry turned collaboration into momentum.
Guided by the West African principle of Sankofa—“go back and get it”—they reclaim ancestral wisdom and transform it into immersive, purpose-driven food experiences that nourish both people and community. Three chefs. One alignment. Legacy in motion.Guided by the West African principle of Sankofa—“go back and get it”—they reclaim ancestral wisdom and transform it into immersive, purpose-driven food experiences that nourish both people and community. Three chefs. One alignment. Legacy in motion.
composting classes
We work to create opportunities for our neighbors to turn food scraps into healthy soil through community composting and hands-on learning experiences. Learn how to compost at home and contribute to community composting efforts. Parker Jean of Sanctuary Farms will lead each session covering a different foundational skill in composting. At-home composting kits will be available for students on a limited basis.
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April 25: What is Compost?
May 23: Ingredients of Compost
June 27: Decomposition & Soil Biology
July 25: How to Build & Maintain a Compost System
August 22: Troubleshooting Compost
September 26: Finished Compost & Community Impact
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Sanctuary Farms
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As the Co-Founder of Sanctuary Farms, Parker Jean leads the operations of the farm, compost operations, and nature sanctuary on Lakeview Street in Riverbend.
As a seasoned compost cultivator, working his way up from backyard to community and now commercial-scale composting, he brings a deep understanding of soil health and the myriad benefits of composting. Parker's teaching style emphasizes practical skills, environmental stewardship, and reconnecting people with the land.
block parties
The Rooted in Riverbend program will host two days of food, fun, and connection—celebrate with us at our community block parties! Enjoy cooking demos, compost workshops, music performances, and art and design projects.
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Saturday, June 13th
1 - 5pm
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Saturday, September 26th
1 - 5pm
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Sacred Spaces
our project partners
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sanctuary farms
Sanctuary Farms is a Detroit-based composting initiative working to close the food loop by transforming food waste into nutrient-rich compost. Rooted in principles of ecological stewardship, SF returns organic matter back to the soil, helping restore living ecosystems while diverting waste from landfills. Through this work, Sanctuary Farms supports a regenerative relationship between people, land, and the cycles that sustain life.
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sankofa sistahs
Sankofa Sistahs was founded by Chef Shay, Chef Cleo, and Chef Fran through a powerful creative partnership built in the kitchen. What set them apart wasn’t just talent—it was synergy. A shared rhythm. Complementary strengths. A deep respect for culture, sustainability, and excellence. Their chemistry turned collaboration into momentum.
Guided by the West African principle of Sankofa—“go back and get it”—they reclaim ancestral wisdom and transform it into immersive, purpose-driven food experiences that nourish both people and community. Three chefs. One alignment. Legacy in motion.
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lola's palette
Lola’s Palette is a creative studio founded by artist and director Franise Hearn, focused on shaping clear, authentic brand narratives. Rooted in intuition and perspective, the studio helps individuals and teams express who they are—without overthinking or dilution.
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city commons csa
City Commons is a cooperatively-owned and operated Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
For the last 15 years we have been providing high quality produce grown using organic methods in Detroit. In 2026 our produce will be from Adamah Farm, Bloomtown Detroit, CWO Farms, Fields of Plenty, Occupy Yourself, Sacred Spaces, Riopelle Street Farm, and Lawrence Street Farm.
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taste the local difference
Taste the Local Difference® is a women-owned, women-led local food marketing agency specializing in effective strategies for agriculture, food, and beverage producers. We believe in uplifting these purpose-driven and passionate entrepreneurs to tell their stories, find loyal customers, and build successful, well-connected businesses.
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alkebu-lan village
Alkebu-lan Village is a Detroit-based youth development organization with roots dating back to 1978, when it was founded as the Alkebu-lan Martial Arts Federation to provide affordable martial arts training for African American youth. Since then, the organization has empowered over 300,000 individuals through discipline, leadership, and cultural education.
Today, Alkebu-lan Village serves over 1,000 Detroit youth and families annually through a wide range of programs, including sports and fitness, leadership development, arts education, academic support, entrepreneurship, and community service. The organization continues to expand its impact by integrating whole-body wellness, food justice, and cultural knowledge into its programming—building stronger individuals and a stronger community.
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ecosphere organics
Ecosphere Organics turns pre-consumer food waste into sustainable materials. We collect high-value organic byproducts and utilize innovative manufacturing processes to convert them into raw materials for bioplastic sheets, natural pigments, nutrient-rich fertilizers, and more.
By harnessing data to optimize resource recovery and material processing, we provide businesses with eco‑friendly materials and help build resilient supply chains across the packaging, textile, and manufacturing sectors.