Benefitting Detroiters

I'd like to focus on how Hantz Farms is going to benefit Detroit as well as contribute to the wellbeing of the community and its surrounding areas.

As recently as August 2007, there have been no major grocery chains available for Detroiters to shop at within the city limits. Supermarkets became less accessable, which meant access to fresh fruits and vegetables became almost extinct. And considering the fact that many Detroiters don't own cars (which is slightly ironic being that it's the Motor City, home of the Big Three and America's auto industry, blah blah blah) it is hard to make it out to the 'burbs and back with bags full of good, cheap, healthy food. Let alone safe and locally grown food.

Because of this, many people have taken to grocery shopping at their local convenience stores: CVS, gas stations, liquor stores, etc. These places generally don't provide food with enough nutrition to satisfy all 5 food groups, which means many Detroiters have slowly begun to consume more calorie-saturated and processed foods.

Hantz Farms has obviously not been the first to realize Detroit's need for fresh and readily available produce. Urban farming has already made an impressive impact on Detroit and Eastern Market is a city staple. Slowly but surely, the change is growing.

Hantz Farms is aiming to step it up a notch.

While on the outside they may appear to be simply a corporate entity started by an investment banker from the Detroit area, there is much more that begs to be communicated. From what I've read and learned about John Hantz and Matt Allen, it's that they are very committed to impacting the community in a positive way, and are interested in being involved and keeping the people involved from the moment the project goes underway. They have no intention of removing people from their homes or pushing people out of neighborhoods. The concepts they have for their farms will not impose on anyone in any way, their methods are safe and have been thoroughly researched, and they are completely invested in a successful and meaningful outcome.

After speaking with Allen personally as he took the time to answer our questions, it was apparent to me how motivated and involved he was in every aspect of Hantz Farms and the vision behind it. He spoke eloquently and precisely communicated his thoughts and planning for the project, making light-hearted jokes and speaking optimistically of the future of Detroit.

One thing that struck me the most was at one point when he described how he wishes to help create a new culture of living and tradition. Educating people on how to can food and speaking about the memories it makes when doing it as a family. Getting the community involved in harvest festivals and creating city parks.

If there was one thing Allen wished to get across to us, he explained, it was that Hantz Farms will be committed to producing local, fresh, safe produce for Detroiters. It's as simple as that. While there are many added benefits, that is what they are about, at their core. Improving the city, beautifying the landscape, and providing locals with a cheap, accessable, healthy diet.

Sources: Detroit News / NPR