Four Detroit-based food entrepreneurs among winners of statewide Good Food Fund

The Michigan Good Food Fund has awarded ten Michigan food-based businesses a total of $100,000, with each business receiving a $10,000 Catalytic Investment Award.

Businesses are deemed "good food enterprises" on account of their commitment to providing healthy food access in otherwise underserved communities. The money comes from the statewide loan program the Michigan Good Food Fund.

Four of the ten winning businesses are located in the city of Detroit. They include:

• Baobab Fare, an East African restaurant, market, and juice and coffee bar
• Fresh Corner Café, a caterer and distributor of fresh, local, and healthy foods
• Guerilla Food, a purveyor of farm-to-table dinners featuring Detroit-grown produce
• Sweet Potato Delights, a maker of sweet potato-based hummus and baked goods

The Catalytic Investment Award money can be used toward infrastructure investments, capital expenditures, and predevelopment costs. The Michigan Good Food Fund also prepares the entrepreneurs for financing.

"These ten awards are supporting businesses that are increasing healthy food access and sparking job creation across the state, from farm to fork," Mary Donnell, program manager of the Michigan Good Food Fund, said in a statement.

"In addition, they are supporting female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color, a core part of our mission."

The remaining winners include MaMang of Flint, Mighty Fine Poultry Processing of Ann Arbor, The COGIC Community Center Forward Center for Healing and Cultural Advancement of Battle Creek, Malamiah Juice Bar of Grand Rapids, The Mason Jar Café of Benton Harbor, and The Redheads of Traverse City.

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