Friday, August 15, 2014

CONYERS JOINS MICHIGAN URBAN FARMING INITATIVE IN UNVEILING MURAL AT NEW HEADQUARTERS


DETROIT – On August 14, 2014, U.S. Congressman John Conyers Jr. (MI-13) joined urban farming advocates and community members in the unveiling a mural on the new headquarters of the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI).
U.S, Representative
John Conyers, Jr. at MUFI

“I congratulate all of the dedicated volunteers of the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative and Door to Door Organics for their inspiring efforts to renovate this formerly blighted building in Detroit’s North End and designate it as their new community resource center,” said Rep. John Conyers Jr. “I want to extend a special thank you to Tyler Gersh, founder of the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative, Detroit artist Ryan Herberholz, our friends at Door to Door Organics and all of those who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality.”

The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative is a nonprofit organization that seeks to engage Michiganders in sustainable agriculture, believing that many of the challenges facing the region - such as blighted properties and vacant land, malnutrition, and food insecurity - create a unique opportunity for community-supported farming. The organization has begun renovation of a previously blighted building in Detroit’s North End that was built in 1915, and became uninhabitable after it was left vacant in 2009. The organization aims to restore the three-story, six-unit apartment complex and turn it into a community resource center that will help foster sustainability and urban renewal.

Door to Door Organics was founded 1997 and partners with farmers to bring fresh, organic produce directly to the homes of its customers. They strive to help people incorporate healthy food into their everyday life with planning, shopping, and cooking tools.

“I am proud that Detroit has become a national leader in urban farming. It provides families with access to fresh produce that can reduce childhood obesity and malnutrition while addressing the lack of quality and affordable foods in our most food insecure communities,” added Conyers.  “As your representative in Congress, I will continue to do everything I can to support the urban farming movement, which has untold potential right here in Detroit and beyond.”

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