FoodLab Detroit: Envisioning a Post-Pandemic Restaurant Industry

“We can either use this crisis as a chance to create a more democratic economy where we’re broadening ownership and wealth, supporting businesses that are grounded in their workers and communities, and trying to build businesses together that are owned by the community like a cooperative, or we continue to do business as usual when we come out of this crisis,” says Devita Davison, Executive Director of FoodLab Detroit. “The choice is ours.” 

The current pandemic has completely rocked the entire restaurant industry and has an everlasting effect on both the industrial and local food systems. FoodLab Detroit is one organization right here in Michigan that is working with local food business owners, operators, entrepreneurs, and chefs to re-imagine, reconfigure, and transform what our beloved industry looks like post-pandemic.  

FoodLab Detroit (FLD) is a community of food entrepreneurs committed to making the possibility of good food in Detroit a sustainable reality. This local non-profit started eight years ago to help launch and scale a diverse group of triple-bottom line food businesses (businesses focused on not just profits, but also people and the planet) inside the city of Detroit. It has since evolved into an organization that is at the helm of creating a radically different restaurant and hospitality industry. Part of FoodLab’s mission is to create a good food future for all parts of the local food system – from the farmer to the hourly hospitality worker. 

Earlier this year, FoodLab brought together a collective group of chefs and restaurateurs to craft Detroit’s Food Industry Manifesto – a vision for the food system of the future. Want to be a part of the conversation? They are  hosting a six-part series to envision a post-pandemic future for our industry. On the third Monday of each month at 6pm, FLD will host virtual discussions bringing together culinary leaders to address the complexity of food system change. Grab your FREE ticket to be part of the discussion!

Upcoming Events:

We’ll be tuning in and we sure hope you will too! Find more information about the events: https://foodlabdetroit.com/

Stay connected on Social Media:
IG: @foodlabdetroit
FB: FoodLab Detroit

Ederique Goudia is the Metro Detroit Content Creator for Taste the Local Difference. Contact her at [email protected] 

Photo Credit: VW Photography