In 2008, we launched an organic, vegan & community based cafe, store & food distribution business.  It was a way to support our Zen Center, offer students and some neighbors jobs & a means of supporting themselves, and a chance to promote health in our neighborhood -- Hamtramck -- the most diverse yet economically poor community in Michigan. 

It was also a small yet sincere response to the deep, interwoven local & global issues around healthy food access, education, the wealth gap, Detroit's food deserts, animal farming & its direct relationship to environmental destruction, pesticide/antibiotic use in food, etc.  In our neighborhood, the relationship between eating a diet of highly processed food and the epidemics of diabetes, obesity, depression & a host of other illnesses is on full display.

We closed our cafe & food distribution business on March 19, 2020, with Covid and its effects as the catalyst.  We welcomed this as an invitation to move into a more sustainable & holistic model for a future community business,  integrated with our mission and view.  In taking our time, the next incarnation will be an evolution forward.  In the gap between the past & future of Living Zen, we've offered pop up meals & events from time to time, with announcements via facebook, instagram & our email list.

Closing Thoughts...

The depth of our crisis as a species was hinted at by Covid.  Food issues reflect only a corner of this crisis.  We are working now toward a clearer view of how best to serve in these times.  
We appreciate the support, and may we join together in the work!  

30,000 lbs of kale served (so far)!