Detroit receives funding for urban agriculture and violence intervention

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has awarded $494,960 to the Detroit Food Policy Council (DFPC) to bolster urban agriculture and food access. The funding aims to support city farmers through technical assistance, waste reduction initiatives, and educational programs. Through neighborhood hubs, staff intend to distribute over one million pounds of food annually, providing meals to more than 2,500 residents each year.

In a separate initiative, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is allocating $1.5 million to five organizations for community violence intervention. Two of these awards are designated for Detroit-based groups: Detroit Life is Valuable Everyday (DLIVE) and Detroit Peoples Community. DLIVE will utilize a hospital-based model to assist with post-injury recovery and victim services, while Detroit Peoples Community will implement evidence-based strategies in specific ZIP codes to address firearm violence and its associated public health impacts.