Jena Brooker talks with award-winning Sozai chef Hajime Sato about the challenges of sustainable sushi. Plus, the latest food news and a weekly list of Detroit pop-ups.
Jena Brooker
Jena Brooker is BridgeDetroit's environmental reporter, covering food and agriculture, pollution and climate change. She has held three fellowships: a ProPublica fellowship, where she led an investigative project on heavy industry in Detroit neighborhoods; a Data Fellowship at the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism, where she produced award-winning coverage of Detroit's automotive industry and environmental racism; and a Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship through CASW, AHCJ and SEJ. Her work has also earned the Michigan Press Association public service award three years in a row and recognition as Young Journalist of the Year in 2023. Before joining BridgeDetroit, she covered environmental issues across the Midwest as a Reporting Fellow for Grist.
Jena holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in The Guardian, Mother Jones, Salon, Slate, Grist, Next City, Chalkbeat and Planet Detroit.
Posted inArts & Culture
Your guide to Afro Nation Detroit festival food
Here are some food options for during and after the festival.
Posted inJB's Bites
The culmination of a community cookbook
Jena Brooker writes on the release of a community cookbook, struggles with Detroit’s USDA office, a transformation for Detroit dollar stores, a list of pop-ups and more.
Posted inCivic and Community Information, Environment
USDA falls short on bridging gap with Detroit urban farmers
The director of the USDA Detroit office quit shortly after a national urban agriculture convening last week in Detroit.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Detroit dollar stores begin to clean up mess
Detroit City Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway talks about a commitment for transformation that comes after a BridgeDetroit investigation into Dollar Tree and Family Dollar blight in the city.
Posted inJB's Bites
Collard green cookoff returns
Jena Brooker has what to expect at the second annual collard green cookoff. Plus, Jena will co-host a storytelling booth, so stop by!
Posted inArts & Culture
Detroit’s collard green cook-off is back
Five chefs will compete against last year’s winner for the title of “Best Collard Green Chef.” The free, public event will offer even more greens.
Posted inJB's Bites
Take a cooking class in Detroit
Jena Brooker has the dish on Detroit food classes, the latest food news and city pop-ups.
Posted inArts & Culture, Civic and Community Information
Take a cooking class in Detroit
A list of summer cooking classes in Detroit; learn how to make everything from dumplings to egg-on-top galettes.
Posted inJB's Bites
JB’s Bites: Abrupt closure of DIB
Jena Brooker writes on the sudden closure of Detroit Institute of Bagels after a local developer took over.