Submit Applications for Seed Awards 2024 (US)

The Michigan Good Food Fund is seeking existing Michigan-based farm and aggregator/distributor businesses that can benefit from seed (grant) funding to grow their business and/or help prepare for financing.

Funding Information

• Michigan Good Food Fund’s Stakeholder Board will be awarding 10-15 seed grants ranging from $5,000-$20,000 to businesses whose success will grow economic development, healthy food access, racial equity, and/or resilient climate practices in Michigan.

Categories

• Food businesses that fall under the farm category are those directly involved in the production of food, either through growing crops, raising livestock, or other forms of agricultural production. Here are some examples of food businesses in this category:
  • Crop Farms: Businesses that grow fruits, vegetables, grains, and other agricultural products for sale. Examples include organic vegetable farms, grain farms, and orchards.
  • Livestock Farms: These farms raise animals for meat, dairy, or other animal-based products. Examples include cattle ranches, poultry farms, pig farms, and dairy farms.
  • Aquaculture Operations: Businesses that raise fish, shellfish, or other aquatic organisms in controlled environments. This includes fish farms and shellfish aquaculture.
  • Specialty Farms: Farms that focus on niche products such as herbs, spices, mushrooms, or other specialty crops.
  • Greenhouse Operations: Farms that use controlled environments to grow plants year-round. These may include vegetables, flowers, or herb production.
  • Permaculture or Regenerative Farms: Farms focused on sustainable and ecological farming practices that work in harmony with natural systems. They often integrate crops, animals, and ecosystem management into their operations.
  • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farms: These farms sell subscriptions to consumers who receive regular shares of the farm’s produce throughout the growing season.
  • Urban Farms: Small-scale, often sustainable farms located in urban settings, which might include rooftop farms, vertical farms, or community gardens focused on local food production.
• Food businesses that fall under the Aggregator/Distributor category include those that primarily focus on collecting, consolidating, storing, and distributing food products from multiple producers to buyers. Here are examples of the types of businesses in this category:
  • Food Hubs: These businesses aggregate products from local farmers and producers, then distribute them to wholesale, retail, and institutional buyers. They often focus on supporting small and mid-sized producers.
  • Wholesale Distributors: Companies that purchase large food products from producers or manufacturers and distribute them to retailers, restaurants, or institutions (e.g., grocery stores, schools, hospitals).
  • Farmer Cooperatives: These are producer-owned businesses that aggregate the products of their members and distribute them to larger markets or directly to consumers. Examples include dairy cooperatives or produce cooperatives.
  • Produce Brokers: They act as intermediaries between food producers and buyers, facilitating sales and sometimes logistics without taking physical possession of the goods.
  • Logistics and Transportation Companies: Businesses that specialize in the transport and cold chain management of food products, ensuring that products are moved efficiently from farms to markets.
  • Distribution Centers: Facilities that serve as points of consolidation for food products before they are shipped to retail stores, restaurants, or other end users.

Eligibility Criteria

• Seed Awards are open to Michigan-based farm and aggregator/distributor businesses looking to grow their business and/or prepare for financing.

Application Process

• The application process is straightforward:
  • Provide a brief description of your business: name and location of business, community (ies) served, and product(s) and/or service(s) provided.
  • Indicate the specific amount requested (up to $20,000).
  • Share the business owner’s name(s) and specify if the owner(s) identify as BIPOC and/or women.
  • Provide a brief overview of your business, such as customer base, revenue, storefront presence, and operational status (startup or established).
  • Describe how you will utilize the requested funds, outlining how these resources will contribute to business growth, prepare for additional financing, and/or meet your business goals, and positively impact the Michigan food system and your community.

For more information, visit Michigan Good Food Fund.