(Chelsea Update would like to thank Kaine Diver for the information in this story.)
Chelsea Farmers Market through the Chelsea Hospital was recently awarded a $1,000 grant to fight food insecurity in the community by the Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Agent Charitable Fund (ACF).
Grant funds will be used to purchase vouchers for neighbors in need, which can be redeemed at a network of local farmers markets for fresh produce.
Local insurance agents Kaine Diver, Rick Eder and Jake Diver of Eder & Diver Insurance Agency nominated the Chelsea Farmers Market for the grant, and they are very passionate about supporting local hunger-relief efforts.
Chelsea Farmers Market is one of 11 organizations throughout the state to receive a Feeding the Future Grant from the ACF in June. Organizations are nominated by a local Farm Bureau Insurance agent and selected by a committee of ACF donors based on the need of the organization, population being served, and overall goal of the program. In 2024, a total of $100,000 will be awarded through this grant program. Feeding the Future grants are reviewed every other month, and the next submission deadline is Friday, Aug. 2.
Kaine Diver said in a press release, “After listening to a presentation by Market Manager Emily Griswold, at our Chelsea Rotary Club meeting, I was motivated to bridge the gap between her passion to help end hunger and the Michigan Farm Bureau social mission. This grant will help fuel the program’s future. It doesn’t get any more local than a farmers market providing hunger-relief support.”
The ACF, whose mission is to end hunger in Michigan, is a donor-designated fund administered through the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture. The Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, a 501(c)(3) governed by Michigan Farm Bureau’s board of directors, positively contributes to the future of Michigan agriculture through leadership and educational programming.
Through grant programs like Feeding the Future, Farm Bureau agents, clients and partners provide food and educational programs to Michigan residents struggling with hunger and aid the more than 3,000 hunger-relief agencies throughout the state.
