Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** during the flint water crisis,…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** during the flint water crisis, two major chain grocery stores closed their doors - a 74,000 square foot kroger in august 2014 and a 180,000 square foot meijer less than a year later - and the accessibility of fresh food in flint's northern communities significantly plummeted. Dollar stores and fast-food outlets are now the most accessible options for north flint residents, many of whom do not own vehicles and either spend their limited resources on hired rides or pay high prices at convenience stores, which do not sell fresh produce.since 2015, north flint reinvestment, a community-based non-profit, has been working with residents, neighborhood organizations, and multiple community partners to develop the north flint food market, with a business model intentionally designed as a cooperative with residents as member-owners to control food security destiny. North flint reinvestment has held community engagement and food CO-OP planning meetings monthly, welcoming the public to learn about the plans for the market and participate in its development and design including serving on the board and committees. There are currently 895MEMBER-owners - 95% of whom are african american, and 80% of whom live in north flint - and $185,000 in member equity. The market meets the food needs of low-income individuals through a full-service grocery store in a predominantly low-income neighborhood designated as a food desert, engaging the community in the design, development, opening, and sustainment of the market, and providing a sales channel for local food producers and artisans.