North Flint Food Market needs $1.9 million to open its doors

Flint, MI— North Flint Food Market, a grocery store aiming to end the food desert on the city’s North side, still needs $1.9 million in funding before it can open and serve the public. 

The market is asking for $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the city and $1.6 million in grants from Ruth Mott and Mott Foundations. Arlene Wilborn, the store’s general manager, said the store would open in about four months if funding is received.

Wilborn said the funding is needed to get the store to “hospital clean” standards, obtain inventory, hire and train 38 staff members, and cover other working capital costs. 

Flint City Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer expressed concern about the market’s ability to sustain itself during an April 3, 2024, finance committee meeting. Pfeiffer said he would be more comfortable approving ARPA funding if the market first secured other funding sources.

“How does this sustain itself if you need funding and money to even start operating?” he asked. “No offense, but we’ve been talking about this grocery store for two-plus years. I would like to see dollars from Mott… before we give dollars.”

Wilborn said the store is “99.9%” done with construction and equipment installation. She also said leadership staff would receive 10 weeks of training, full-time staff would receive eight weeks, and part-time staff would be “staggered in” for training.  

According to Vanessa Ferguson, the store’s marketing director, the market co-op on the corner of West Pierson and Clio Roads has more than 800 members.

Organizers broke ground on the current location in August 2021.