I haven’t done a whole lot of research into the religious organization behind this initiative to deliver fresh produce to the residents of inner city Detroit, but I’m really intrigued by today’s Associate Press article on Peaches & Greens. That’s what it’s called. And here’s a clip:
…In a neighborhood served by 26 liquor stores but only one grocery, a community group is peddling fresh fruits and vegetables like ice cream.
Five days a week, the Peaches & Greens truck winds its way through the streets as a loudspeaker plays R&B and puts out the call: “Nutritious, delicious. Brought right to you. We have green and red tomatoes, white and sweet potatoes. We have greens, corn on the cob and cabbage, too.”
The truck set up like a small market brings affordable produce to families on public assistance, homebound seniors and others who can’t reach the well-stocked grocery chains in the suburbs.
Experts call Detroit a food desert: More than half of its residents must travel at least twice as far to reach the nearest grocery store as they do to a fast-food restaurant or convenience store, according to a study by Chicago-based Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group. Many shop at liquor stores and corner markets that carry few, if any, fresh fruits and vegetables…
Apparently, it’s all the doing of a faith-based group called Central Detroit Christian, that, in addition to operating the produce truck, and a market at 8838 Third Avenue, administers youth and family programming, conducts job training workshops, and creates affordable housing in the city. (According to an article in the Michigan Citizen, so far they have renovated 18 homes and built 9 new ones with the intention of selling them to individuals with low and moderate-incomes.)
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I think, with all the bad stuff I post about religion, it’s good to point out when a group seems to be doing something good in the community.
They could be a cult for all I know. (Jim Jones did great stuff in the community too.) But, on the surface, this seems incredibly positive. More religious groups IMHO should engage in the community like this.
It’s odd how much of a difference 5 or 10 miles can make. Flint & Detroit have had bus lines running to nearby grocers for sometime, but I guess those aren’t always so convenient and really, being trapped & hungry in your own city is fairly depressing.
I like the affordable piece of this. Brussel sprouts as afforadable as WonderBread…that kind of thing…Inner City Flint has similar issues with produce not being easily available. Community gardens are being developed & a new produce market has recently opened called “Witherbee’s.” (which apparently has it’s own MySpace page – http://www.myspace.com/witherbeesmarket).
I think some religious groups have had involvement in Flint as well & have been engaged by the Michigan Prevention Resource Center to help assess nutrition outcomes and needs (both in Flint & Detroit). They were trying to use church as a place to teach people about healthy eating and healthy behaviors at one point, but not so sure what happened with that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz2K8YPSMy8
hey i actually got to visit it last week– i should post some pics of the truck, the new peaches and greens community garden, and their storefront. it was on the detroit urban garden and farm tour… the truck was super sweet looking. i also talked to the woman responsible for the new garden– super rad, and a great revitalization effort in the neighborhood.
The future is integrated, it’s organic, it’s freedom, it’s faith, it’s progress.
That video, JJO, could also work in the ObamaCare/Socialism thread.
What a wonderful idea! I am a Christian and a firm believer in religion. My faith is strong! Once I heard about, “Peaches and Greens,” on the local News on Channel Four, I was truly interested in learning more about the busines, the training programs, and how do I get started, with a truck in my surrounding area in Granite City, Illinois.
Found your site doing a search for anything on Peaches and Greens. I had just learned of this company while vending at a workshop sponsored by the Wayne County Health and Human Services Department.
Like your site, want you to have a post for 2012 and more for 2013 Perhaps you could do a product review for my new company called Healthy Living-Raw. Would love to hear from you. Peace “little-big-man”
all of detroit and surrounding areas could benifit from Peachs and Greens efforts…meaning I think some people who really care about this org should invest in this company to get more trucks on the road and help them provide more jobs for area residents that could use the work. just a thought. With that said they come to a site that I go to i have brought food from them many times. alot of times i could not go to the stores in the evening because I am stricken with a medical condtion. They help me in more ways than I can say I hope they continue with the good work they are doing and may God add many more blessing to them.
Palesciasm