BridgeDetroit food writer Jena Brooker writes on a composting pilot with an autonomous robot, the latest food headlines and this week’s 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 inJB's Bites
JB’s Bites: Mapping Detroit street food
This week, Jena Brooker has a street food pop-up rewind. Check out this collaboration with reporter Laura Herberg, and send us some of your favorites.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Design Core Detroit awards $115K to community sustainability projects
Seven groups were awarded money for projects including solar-powered DJ sets and a community kitchen powered by biofuel.
Posted inJB's Bites
JB’s Bites: Free produce
BridgeDetroit food writer Jena Brooker has a reminder about the Double Up Food Bucks and how healthy food access helps local farmers.
Posted inCivic and Community Information, Jobs & Economic Development
Detroiter crowdfunding for bathhouse rooted in community empowerment
The Black Moon Bathhouse would be a healing sanctuary for women and non-binary individuals. Learn more about the Detroiter behind the vision.
Posted inEnvironment, Health and Welfare
Black Detroit children with asthma hardest hit by seasonal allergies
The problems are exacerbated by worsening seasonal allergies as heat-trapping pollution drives temperatures upward.
Posted inJB's Bites
JB’s Bites at the James Beard Awards
BridgeDetroit food reporter Jena Brooker traveled to Chicago to attend the James Beard Awards.
Posted inEnvironment
Stellantis seeks state permit to increase Detroit emissions
The automotive manufacturer wants to increase particulate matter emissions by 33% at its Mack assembly complex on Detroit’s east side.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
New Detroit resource center with food co-op opens in Brightmoor
The Abbott Resource Center featuring a food cooperative opened June 8 on Grand River in Detroit’s Brightmoor community.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
It’s tea time for two Detroiters
Two Detroit women are filling a void in a city saturated with coffee shops. Plus, a list of other spots to buy tea in Detroit.