You Are What You Eat Michiganders!

On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Jennifer Granholm stood outside of Peaches & Greens, a local Detroit produce store and announced the launch of a food service program that would provide fresh produce to city neighborhoods. A much
needed service for local residents who's diets are suffering due to the recent economic recession.

Detroit has been identified as a place where quality groceries and produce are not readily available. Many Detroit residents are forced to shop for groceries at convenience stores and gas stations because there are few real grocery stores inside the city limits. Many of those have limited operating hours and inflated prices.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm

The innovative program labeled MI (pronounced "my") Neighborhood Food Movers, is the result of a partnership between the state and three nonprofit organizations. In addition to Peaches
& Greens, Up South Foods and Field of Our Dreams
will be joining the team of produce companies that
are expected to hit the streets for a 4-month trial period.

Granholm's program, which will be funded by a $75,000 low-interest loan from the state, will deliver fruits and vegetables to residents with a vendor-style truck, according to the Detroit Free Press. When the produce truck, which will bear a MI Neighborhood Food Movers logo, roves through neighborhoods on a fixed route and schedule, residents in Michigan’s largest city will have the option of healthier food choices and easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Food Movers is focusing on three areas: one bounded by Woodward Ave., Dexter, W. Grand Blvd. and Glendale; the Jefferson/Chalmers area on the East Side; and Forest, E. Jefferson, Mt. Elliott and Conner. Some Detroiters counter that the program may not be successful due to the limitations to routes as well as the "lackadaisical" mentality of many Detroiters who don't seem to take well to programs no matter the convenience or benefit to their overall health.

Jocelyn Harris, 59, a Detroiter who is the proprietor of Up South Foods, appeared overjoyed with the announcement. "This is a miraculous day indeed for many Detroit residents and a dream come true for me," said the former Detroit science teacher. "I can feel this project is destined for greatness."

After the 4-month trial period, the Food Movers program is expected to be able to expand to include more local vendors covering a broader range of geographic areas.

Detroit Neighborhood: Victoria Park Estates

Housing stock in Detroit are often thought to be only of the “older” or “historic” variety; mostly built in the early-to-mid twentieth century. While that may be true for the majority of homes, it is possible to own newer, suburban-style homes right here in the City.

There are now several newer neighborhoods in Detroit: one of the first was Victoria Park Estates, a gated community on the Eastside. Built in 1992 by Crosswind Communities, Victoria Park, with 157 homes built on 44 acres, is located off Dickerson just south of East Jefferson and east of Conner Street.

The late Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young, along with the Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan and executives of Standard Federal Bank (now Bank of America), spearheaded the development of Victoria Park. The latest new housing development before Victoria Park had been the condominiums and apartments of Lafayette Park East in the 1960s. The prices of the homes range from $160,000 to over $300,00; the community qualifies for the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Tax Abatements.

The original homeowners of Victoria Park were able to purchase the city-owned lots for $1 apiece, and then build colonial- and cape cod-style homes with decks, two-car attached garages, and cathedral ceilings. The neighborhood has cul-de-sacs, curving streets, and an attended entrance gate. Although homeowner turnover is low, if you are looking for a suburban home within the City, take a look at the newer and diverse community Victoria Park Estates.

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Detroit's Unique Neighborhoods: Grandmont Rosedale

The Grandmont Rosedale Neighborhood in northwest Detroit is another one of Detroit's most beautiful. Most of the 5,200 homes were custom built starting in the 1920s; the area covers 2.1 square miles.

There are actually six communities and four districts in Grandmont Rosedale: Schoolcraft, Minock, North Rosedale Park, Rosedale Park, Grandmont #1, and Grandmont; the major boundaries are Evergreen, McNichols (6 Mile), Schoolcraft, I-96 (Jeffries Freeway), Grand River, and Southfield (Southfield Freeway).



An exciting warm-weather amenity of the Grandmont Rosedale Neighborhood is the Farmer's Market: open on Thursdays from May through October. Other quality -of-life features include beautifully maintained landscaping, a neighborhood community center, recycling programs, youth sports team, scouting programs, a local theatre group, and easy access to local shopping outlets and freeways.

Home buyers in Grandmont Rosedale (for purchases after 1997) may also be eligible for the 15-year Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax abatement, reducing their tax bill by up to 38%. Grandmont Rosedale has been designated a "Cool Cities" Neighborhood.



There are presently a variety of beautiful homes available in Grandmont Rosedale; for information and photos click here.

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