FUN FACT: There are at least two garlic parties in Detroit in October, at Beaverland Farms and Keep Growing Detroit.

Hey, it’s JB!

The city is expected to launch a composting program for food scrapswaste next year with $100,000 in support from Carhartt.

The most common item sent to the landfill in Michigan is food, where it then contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. As Michigan’s most populous city, Detroit produces an estimated 251 million pounds of food waste annually, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, half of which is created at home. 

The grant will be used for resident supplies and education resources, and to prepare a site for compost drop-offs. 

Tepfirah Rushdan, director of Detroit’s Office of Sustainability, said reducing food waste is a key goal of the city’s climate strategy. 

“Detroit boasts a rich food ecosystem, from urban farms to its vibrant chef community and one of the oldest farmers markets in the country. It’s time we close the loop by diverting food waste away from landfills,” she said. 

The primary goals of the composting program are to “encourage home composting efforts, establish a citywide drop-off site within the first year and strengthen the existing composting initiatives already happening on the ground,” Rushdan said. It will be free for residents and include resources and educational materials to help home composters, along with kits to collect compost. The number of people that will be able to participate in the pilot is still being finalized, according to Rushdan. 

The program comes after grassroots organizations in Detroit collaborated with organizations in the Philippines several years ago to pilot a decentralized composting system in Detroit and inform the city of best practices. Read more in the button below.

Dig In, 
JB

• Woodbridge Ale, a beer made with hops cooperatively grown in various gardens in the Woodbridge neighborhood, is now available at Lexington Bar, Woodbridge Pub, The Roost, 8 Degrees Plato and Brew Detroit.
• JP Makes and Bakes, Sepia Coffee, and Anna’s Cafe all had soft openings within the last week. 
• The last day of Huddle custard season is Oct. 30 and the final day of Pink Flamingo Corktown pop-up is Oct. 31.

A schedule of pop-ups for the week:

• Whole Foods is hiring across several departments. 
• Detroit Foundation Hotel is hiring a pastry cook, dishwasher, and line cooks. 
• Anna’s Cafe is hiring baristas.

Have a fun fact, pop-up, or food story to share? Email Jena at jbrooker@bridgedetroit.com