JCFM Founder Talks Food Justice for Detroit Kids in Community Spotlight Interview With Detroit Food Policy Council
- JCFM Staff
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 29
Minya Irby, founder and executive director of Jefferson Chalmers Farmers’ Market (JCFM), discussed her passion for food equity, connecting with the community, and new program and funding initiatives during an exclusive Instagram live community spotlight interview with the Detroit Food Policy Council hosted by Dr. Divine on October 22, 2025.
The founder shared plans for developing a new “After School Supper Club” program as an extension of JCFM’s community engagement efforts. The program is also a response to addressing and alleviating issues surrounding food insecurity experienced among the many children living in the city of Detroit.
Detroit Kids Deserve a Seat at the Dinner Table
According to data released during the recent Detroit mayoral debate, approximately 51 percent of children in Detroit are living in poverty. The mission and goal of JCFM’s “After School Supper Club” is to ensure that children in Detroit receive the nourishment and academic support needed to not only survive, but to thrive in school as well as in life. “When the Jefferson Chalmers Farmers’ Market received the grant from Kresge and we bought the land and started building out our infrastructure, we realized that we can make a greater impact in the community beyond just showing up two Sundays a month at the farmers' market,” said the founder. “There’s a way that we can connect locally sourced fresh natural foods to kids…and not just connect them to it, but also create in them a love for vegetables.”
JCFM plans to collaborate with other community organizations for the “After School Supper Club.” The founder and executive director is also seeking funds for hiring chefs, dietitians, and other staff, including program administrators and tutors to provide a range of academic enrichment programs for Detroit kids. The goal is to help students perform better academically, while also providing them with delicious, healthy home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients locally sourced in Michigan.
“A lot of people don’t realize that the state of Michigan is second only to California when it comes to agricultural production and agricultural variety production…the state of Michigan produces about 200-300 varieties of fruits and vegetables year round,” explained Minya, founder and executive director of JCFM. “We’re blessed to be in Michigan. We’re blessed to be in a place that has green infrastructure, and fresh water...there are people in this community now that do the work of supporting and making sure we have clean, fresh soil for growing good, healthy, fruits and vegetables; so that we can eat good, healthy, fruits and vegetables.”
JCFM is a Hub of Food, Culture, and Economic Opportunity in Detroit
Minya also announced a call for additional vendors and performers to join JCFM at the new location at 722 Emerson St. near Freud next year, beginning June 2026. The goal of JCFM at the new location is to restore the natural beauty of the community. The new location will include a garden, and greenhouse. JCFM will also continue to provide live music and historical storytelling. The focus will be on growing fresh fruits and a variety of flowers, rather than vegetables. However, JCFM plans to rely on local farmers to bring their vegetables to the market as a vendor, or to join JCFM’s “Plant. Pick. Profit.” program.
JCFM’s "Plant. Pick. Profit." program allows local farmers and other growers to sell at the market without being present. All growers have to do is simply register on the website, and package their produce. JCFM will then pick up their inventory to display and sell at the market. The growers will receive the profits made from sales. The Jefferson Chalmers Farmers' Market is free to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend.
During the interview, Minya explained how her connection growing up on the east side of Detroit in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, as well as her passion for food justice, is what inspires her to do the work that she does with the farmers' market. “I love food, and that’s what brings us here. And I don’t just love food, I love gardens, I love flowers, I love fresh food, and I just want to campaign for that because I think that food is a basic human right.”
To register as a JCFM vendor, click here. To register to perform at the market, click here.
To learn more about the Detroit Food Policy Council, visit: dfpc.jdcreative.org - You can also like and follow them on Instagram @detroitfoodpc. Watch the community spotlight Instagram Live interview below:
