Detroit Food Academy Expands with New Headquarters at Heidelberg Project – Discover the Exciting Transformation!

The Heidelberg Project has recently sold its former headquarters to the Detroit Food Academy, a nonprofit focused on community-based food entrepreneurship. This organization aims to help young people develop vital skills through various programs.

Tyree Guyton, the founder of the Heidelberg Project, expressed his excitement about the sale. Living next door to the building, he looks forward to collaborating with the Detroit Food Academy. "I’m eager to see what they’ll cook up," he said, hinting at a future partnership.

The new location, at 3442 McDougall St., will feature teaching kitchens, a college and career center, offices, and a youth-run cafe. Kiki Louya, the Academy’s executive director and a former contestant on "Top Chef," emphasized the program’s commitment to enriching education for local youth. “With our combined youth development and hospitality training, we can provide hundreds of students with valuable afterschool programs and real-world experience each year,” she noted.

The building, measuring over 4,500 square feet, sold for $360,000 and has been designed to blend food and art in education. The Detroit Food Academy plans to fully occupy the space shortly, aligning with their mission to empower young people aged 10 to 18 by partnering with local high schools and food entrepreneurs.

Andy Sturm, the executive director of the Heidelberg Project, highlighted the sale as beneficial for both organizations. It offers resources for the Heidelberg Project while also enhancing the McDougall Hunt neighborhood as a hub for creativity and community service.

For over ten years, the Academy has operated its social enterprise, Small Batch Detroit, which provides paid job training to youth aged 18 to 24. Participants receive life skills workshops, food safety certifications, and individual support, helping them to become leaders in the local food scene.

Recent statistics show that youth training programs in community-based organizations not only improve job readiness but also contribute to local economies. The Detroit Food Academy embodies this approach, helping the next generation find career paths in the food industry and beyond.

For more information, visit detroitfoodacademy.org.

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