Redefining Good Food + Good Jobs

transforming how we think about good food + good jobs

Throughout the second of three co-labs, the FoodLab Detroit Strategy Council members worked to further refine what it means to be a provider of good food and good jobs. Taking the findings from the first co-lab, our friends at The Work Department synthesized the strategy council discussion to produce more clear definitions of "Good Food" and "Good Jobs". Our strategy council worked to edit those definitions in this second co-lab; assuring that those definitions articulated the core values of FoodLab Detroit, and painted a clear picture of the vibrant, local food economy that we envision. This is what our strategy council concluded.

good food

Appeals to the senses. Good food is authentic, flavorful and nourishing. Good Food is sourced, made and served with love. Good food is beneficial to people and does not harm the environment.

good jobs

Enable people to make good food, both for their community and for their families. Good Jobs pay living wages, and offer stability and opportunities for growth to both employers and employees. Good Job providers put standards in place to foster a culture of respect, appreciation, and open communication.

guiding principles for employers

• Good food jobs bring employers and employees opportunities for growth.
• Employers and their employees deserve to earn living wages.
• Create workplace environments where employers and employees treat each other with respect.
• Recognize that providing good food and good food jobs is a journey.
• We can make greater progress along the Good Food, Good Jobs journey together, and as a community.
• The values associated with Good Food, Good Jobs can be taught and learned.

expectations of good food, good job providers

• Providers make intentional progress towards providing good food and good jobs. Providers measure and share progress with one another.
• Providers take advantage of professional development opportunities and offer employees ways to learn, grow, and advance.
• Providers have policies in place that foster a culture of respect, appreciation, and open communication. Providers listen to and value input from their employees.
• Providers educate new and prospective members of the community on how good food, good jobs principles affect their triple bottom line (people, planet, profit).
• Providers dedicate time to network, and leverage the collective wisdom and power of their community to promote the value of good food and good food jobs.
• Providers are on a journey towards earning and providing living wages.

help us build a more equitable detroit

Join us in lifting up FoodLab Detroit member businesses who are providing opportunities for growth in their neighborhoods, and who are working to make the possibility of good food and good jobs in Detroit a sustainable reality.