Flint food market receives $1.5 million grant from the Mott Foundation

FLINT, Mich. — The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has committed $1.5 million to support the long-delayed opening of the North Flint Food Market, which is now expected to open by the end of 2025.

The purpose of the grant is to help the North Flint Reinvestment Corporation secure food suppliers, stock inventory, purchase equipment and hire staff for the store.

Although the project broke ground on Aug. 30, 2021, construction and opening plans were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and interruptions in federal funding.

Structured as a community-owned cooperative, the store is intended to give residents more input into how it’s run. Nearly 900 people have joined the co-op to date, though membership isn’t required to shop there.

The Mott Foundation previously awarded $2.1 million to the project in 2021 and 2022 to support construction and general operations. With the latest award, the foundation’s total contribution to the project now stands at $3.6 million.

In addition to the new grant, North Flint Reinvestment Corporation has also applied for $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding from the City of Flint to help close the financial gap that has delayed the store’s opening since the project launched in 2021.

In a May 15 press release from the Mott Foundation, board chair Brigitte Jackson stated that the store is expected to create nearly 30 jobs once it opens.

The North Flint Food Market is located at 5402 North Clio Road.