We envision a Detroit where youth are powerful – leading, changing, and co-creating the future of Detroit’s food system through culinary arts and food entrepreneurship.
Programs
DFA uses the universal, connective power of food as a catalyst for youth to form community amongst their peers and with caring adult mentors.
At all our program sites, DFA fosters safe places for students to show up as themselves, learn important life skills, and express their creativity. Driven by youth voice and guided by caring adult mentors, our curriculum unpacks the systems that shape the food we eat, cook, and have access to through hands-on cooking, social emotional learning activities, and group discussions.
Afterschool
Leadership Program
Weekly program held at partnering schools, community sites, and virtually during the school year. Youth cook together in class, explore the local food system, and take home ingredients kits to continue learning at home. Our food curriculum includes knife skills, grocery stores, wellness, sustainability, world cuisines, and food stories, supplemented with social emotional learning. 300+ middle and highschoolers are engaged each year.
Summer
Leadership Program
In this paid six-week summer intensive, DFA students dive deeper into Detroit’s food system through hands-on cooking, field trips to food businesses, and visits from guest chefs. Advanced students intern at work sites and receive mentorship from food entrepreneurs in our community who share DFA’s values and are committed to lifting up the next generation of food leaders.
Advanced
Leadership Program
A cohort of 20+ students learn complicated culinary techniques and scale their own unique food-rooted business project. Professional chefs and small business owners work directly with students throughout the year. Youth also learn foundational life and job skills such as financial literacy, professionalism, and leadership. Advanced youth earn a stipend for their participation.
317
unique youth
208
days of programming
480
direct hours served
Last school year….
Shop Small Batch
Small Batch is a social enterprise powered by the Detroit Food Academy! Our online gift shop features Mitten Bites, Slow Jams, and the Detroit Pop Shop - three small batch products handcrafted by our talented young chefs.