Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN)
Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) at University of Detroit Mercy fosters student and community collaboration for a more food sovereign Detroit. TENN provides students with real opportunities to apply things they learn in the classroom as they design and lead programs that promote equity and sustainability in the food system. As part of the Institute for Leadership and Service, TENN student leaders coordinate multiple service opportunities each week that reduce the immediate effects and systemic causes of hunger and food waste.
Join us in celebrating Food Fest 2021
April 5, 2021 - April 16, 2021
Food Fest is a celebration of food culture among the University of Detroit Mercy community. In lieu of an in-person potluck, TENN is hosting a digital Food Fest 2021. We are sharing recipes and stories of food heritage on our Food Fest blog, hosting cooking classes and artisan workshops with community partners on zoom, and launching a raffle to win prizes from local businesses.
Enter our Raffle
For a donation of at least $5 to TENN during Food Fest, you will be entered to win a raffle basket with local goods including:
- Coffee from Drifter Coffee in Ferndale
- Jamaican jerk marinade & Cajun seasoning from Chefs Choice Catering LLC
- Bath and beauty products from Akoma
Attend our Zoom Classes & Workshops
Classes are open to all for a suggested donation of $10-$20 or your volunteer time to TENN.
4/12 - 4 - 5 pm : #MakeFoodNotWaste Cooking Class with Alexis Chingman-Tijerina
Join chef and instructor with the Detroit Food Academy and Make Food Not Waste as she shares tips and tricks for leftovers and an easy go to dinner recipe.
4/12 - 6:30-7:30 pm: Shrimp Ceviche Sandwich Cooking Class with Carlos Parisi
Join co-owner of Aunt Nee’s Chips, Salsa & Guacamole, partner in Khana Pakistani Food Pop-Up, and Host of the Sandwich Talk podcast in a ceviche sandwich cooking class.
4/13 - 6-7 pm: Sugar Scrub Workshop with Mandisa Smith
Join founder and former co-owner of Detroit Fiber Works and artist with Akoma in making a skin-nourishing homemade sugar scrub.
4/15 - 6-8:30 pm: Vegan Cheat Day Cooking Class with Grace Gamble
Join TENN Program Manager & former culinary educator as we make vegan risotto, focaccia and a hot fudge sundae.
4/16 - 6-8 pm: Pasty Cooking Class with Kim Ball
Join culinary instructor, chef and baker Kim Ball of Monkey.Wolf.Rooster in making seasonal pasties.
Why TENN?
On Jan. 28, 2021, Campus Kitchen celebrated its 10th anniversary and chose a new name that fits our work and mission: Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN).
Titan: We are proud to be Titans. Community collaboration ignites our students and nourishes growth through meaningful service opportunities and educational engagement.
Equity: We strive for a food system that is grounded in equity because equality does not equate to justice. Through mutually beneficial relationships with our community, we seek to examine and remediate the root causes of food and environmental inequity.
Nourish: We nourish bodies, relationships, minds and the earth. While nourishment can be acquired through food, we also nourish through community engagement, education, and sustainable practices.
Network: We are privileged to be a part of a greater network. In collaboration with Detroit Mercy staff, faculty, and students, community partners and campus neighbors, we work together for a more food sovereign Detroit.
2020 Numbers & Reflections
Mission of TENN
The mission of TENN is to develop student leaders through thoughtful engagement with community-led initiatives that promote a more equitable and sustainable food system.
Three core beliefs drive our work:
- We need a more just and sustainable food system. Forty percent of the food that's produced in the United States each year ends up in the waste stream. In the city of Detroit, 48% of households lack consistent access to healthy, culturally appropriate, and affordable food.
- We believe that hunger and food waste are immediate and systemic problems that college students can help to solve. We work to alleviate the effects of these problems while educating ourselves about their root causes.
- We believe that it's a privilege to support positive change in Detroit's food system. Our city is internationally known for the inspiring leaders working to end injustices in the food system, many of whom are our neighbors. We're excited to learn from and support them.
Interested in getting involved with TENN?
Thanks to the Ford Motor Company Fund, the Sisters of St. Joseph Congregation, and our individual and organizational donors for their support. Our programs would not be possible without food donations from Metz Dining Services, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Avalon Bakery and Western Market. We are grateful to our the many organizations who collaborate with us on service and educational programs including the Princeton Street Block Club, Lakeridge Village, Xavier University's Immersive Learning, and a number of urban farms and gardens.
Service opportunities
Check out our linktr.ee to sign up for service, view our calendar and more
Become a TENN Leader
If you're a Detroit Mercy student who feels passionate about food access, fundraising, event planning, health, or community development, consider becoming a part of one of our leadership committees.
