The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is following closely on the heels of Patti LaBelle‘s sweet potato pies success.
In addition to donating food and overnight hotel stays for 25-50 people in Flint, Michigan, Franklin is launching her own line of food that will soon be available in grocery stores near you.
Evrod Cassimy, friend of the blog and Morning Anchor of Local 4 News Today in Detroit, spoke with Ms. Franklin exclusively by phone.
When Cassimy asked Ms. Franklin if she tasted one of LaBelle’s sweet potato pies, she responded, “No, I haven’t, but Ms. Patti’s gonna have to move that pie to the side!”
Franklin plans to offer consumers more than just high calorie, high sugar pies. She’s offering high protein, low fat foods to make your taste buds sing and your heart healthy.
The 73-year-old Tennessee native told Cassimy that she’s already met with a food group out of Phoenix to start developing her food products for store shelves.
Franklin said her food products will include baked chicken and dressings as well as her special chili and gumbo.
But first and foremost on her mind is taking care of her own: the residents of Flint who are affected by contaminated drinking water.
Flint residents will be pre-screened at her father’s church in Detroit, New Bethel Baptist Church at a date to be determined, WDIV reports.
“Detroiters usually come to the aid of Detroiters — and Flint is certainly regarded as Detroit,” Franklin told Local 4 News. “Hang in there.”
