MIRA

The Voice of Independent Retailers

Announcing Michigan Good Food Fund’s Catalytic Investment Awards

You are here:

Home
Michigan News
Announcing Michigan Good Food Fund’s…

Could your good food business use an investment?

The Michigan Good Food Fund is excited to announce a new round of Catalytic Investment Awards designed to help mission-drive good food entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level, including preparing for financing. Five Michigan businesses that are increasing healthy food access will be selected. $250,000 in awards will be distributed.

Applications are due Nov. 8

Who is eligible to apply? Michigan good food entrepreneurs that are in operation, generating revenue, and will utilize an award to scale business and prepare for financing within the next 18-24 months. An eligible enterprise can be a non-profit organization, cooperative, or for-profit entity.

What is a good food business? Michigan good food enterprises that grow, process, distribute, make, and/or sell healthy foods that are whole, natural, and minimally processed and are available and affordable to residents at all income levels. Preference will be given to businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color and women, and businesses that create jobs in Michigan source locally, and are good environmental stewards.

Award Uses: Awards can be used for a range of purposes including feasibility studies, business planning, predevelopment expenses, project management, construction, equipment, working capital, or inventory.

How To Apply: Applications must be completed by 11:59 PM EST November 8, 2019 with awards announced in early December.

Catalytic Investment Awards: The Catalytic Investment Awards are designed to fuel the success of mission-driven enterprises and help them prepare for financing.

Questions? Contact Michigan Good Food Fund program manager Mary Donnell at 313.300.0104 or mdonnell@capitalimpact.org.

Since we had our stores in Detroit, it was the thing to do. All store owners understood the value MIRA brought for a grocery store. Today at Market Basket of Franklin, the Nestle rebate program is great for us. Also, the DTE program is our best saver – we receive free pull-down shields to cover our dairy and produce – it, has helped our refrigeration and, has allowed us to save money on electricity costs.

Carl HakimMarket Basket

The community needs people with retail experience who can bring good ideas forward and keep retailers apprised of what’s going on in the marketplace.”

“More members will make us stronger as a group. That will increase our buying power to offer more discounts and will give us a stronger voice in Lansing, Columbus, and Washington.”

“MIRA membership comes at a minimal cost for benefits that can help your business achieve greater goals.

Brian YaldooHills Fine Wine & Spirits, West Bloomfield MI

My dad has been a member of MIRA for a very long time. All of his stores are members, and it’s a great organization. I feel its programs will be very helpful to its members as the organization keeps growing.

Jacob GarmoLavish Vodka Cocktail

I believe in the effectiveness and spirit of the staff and members of this organization. I recommend that all members read the MIRA mission statement to get a sense of how important it is for everyone to promote membership.

Paul ElhindiCorner Market, Lyndhurst OH

MIRA has been there to help us in many ways, They were instrumental in leveling the playing field as a number of gas stations started opening up nearby. Now you have the dollar stores carrying eggs and milk, so it’s been a difficult time, but MIRA has been there to help us through all of it. They also provide legal representation for stores that can’t afford it, and they keep us informed on what’s going on in the industry and what to look for in the future.

Namir GarmoShoppers Valley Market, Wyandotte MI

This industry is in my blood, and I want to serve it to give back what it has brought me.”

“I learned the business from others who were successful and being on the board gives me a chance to communicate how to better serve the industry—as well as make more money—to those who don’t yet know how. It’s important to hand our knowledge over to those who are new or are taking over a family business. We need to ask them what their most important issues are and help them understand the return on investment they can realize through MIRA’s programs, which save them money through better group pricing on everything they buy and all of their business expenses.” “If people know what MIRA is fighting for, they will want to be part of it. And if we work together, we can raise our industry to the next level.

Jim GarmoShoppers Valley Market