Detroit Food is an annual conference hosted by the Detroit Food Policy Council to increase awareness about our food system, and develop strategies for building a healthier food system in Detroit. Detroit Food brings together community members, food industry workers, advocates, researchers and policy makers.

Our Summit theme this year touches on the powerful concept of reaching back and returning to an identity and culture disrupted by colonization, and carrying that knowledge and wisdom into the future.

Sankofa is an Adinkra symbol from the Akan people of Ghana, which literally means “go back and get it.” It is a command to honor the lessons and practices of the past and to draw on them to inform the present and future. (adinkrasymbols.org)

Biiskaabiiyaang is an Anishinaabe word that translates to the experience of returning home after a long journey. It is used to mean cultural resurgence, resistance to colonial violence, and reclaiming traditional ways through contemporary practice. (biiskaabiiyaang.com)

The logo for this year’s event draws on symbolism from both cultures, incorporating the Adinkra symbol of a bird, portrayed here as a heron, with its feet pointed forward and its beak looking back, along with the Three Sisters (corn, beans and squash) from Indigenous growing tradition, among others.

With DFPC entering an era of regeneration and rebirth, with new leadership and a mostly new Council, these themes profoundly reflect the moment we are in, honoring and drawing from those who laid the groundwork while moving toward the future. Through grounded conversations, shared data, and practical workshops, we’ll examine food access, racial equity, and community power in our neighborhoods. Join your fellow residents, advocates, and policymakers to look closely at Detroit’s food system and shape what comes next.