City Market Announces Recipients for Local Food Projects: $30,000 to be Donated to Support the Vermont Food System

Burlington, VT – City Market has announced the 2017 recipients of its Co-op Patronage Seedling Grants, a grants program to support the local food system. In 2016, the Co-op Patronage Seedling Grant recipients received over $56,000 in grant funding to local food projects at this year’s Grant Celebration held in March. City Market sent over $656,000 in Patronage Refunds to 11,450 Members in November 2016. As part of the Patronage Refund process, the Co-op offers Members the opportunity to donate their checks to strengthen Vermont’s food system. Members who receive Patronage Refunds support these donations by choosing not to cash their checks within the required 90 day time period. This year, uncashed Patronage Refund checks from Members are funding 6 local food projects from community organizations doing amazing work in Vermont. Ten Vermont non-profits from around the state applied to the Co-op’s 2017 grant program, representing over $62,000 in requests. The Co-op selected 6 non-profits to receive over $30,000 in grant funding this year, but the amount could increase based on the total value of uncashed Patronage checks. Patronage Refund checks for fiscal year 2017 (ended June 30, 2017) will be mailed to Members on November 9 and Members have 90 days to cash their checks. More information can be found on the Co-op’s website: https://www.citymarket.coop/co-op-patronage-seedling-grants. The following organizations have been selected to receive the 2017 grants: • Burlington High School Richard Meyer’s Food Science Class, Burlington, VT • The Intervale Center, Burlington, VT • Janet S. Munt Family Room, Burlington, VT • The Schoolhouse Learning Center, South Burlington, VT • UVM Foundation, Burlington, VT • Winooski Community Partnership, Winooski, VT Allison Hope, City Market’s Director of Community Engagement, says, “We’re lucky to have a team of dedicated Members to review and discuss the applications and ultimately make a recommendation to our Board of Directors. This year’s Grant recipients represent our community’s children, farmworkers, and non-profits supporting farming. The Co-op and the Member Grants Committee are always humbled by the amazing projects we read about in the applications from Vermont non-profits working to strengthen our food system. The Co-op’s Grant Program is one more way we provide our Members the opportunity to promote local food system projects, both by donating their Patronage Refund checks and by serving on the Member Grants Committee.” About City Market, Onion River Co-op The Onion River Co-op is a consumer cooperative, with over 12,400 Members, selling wholesome food and other products while building a vibrant, empowered community and a healthier world, all in a sustainable manner. Located in downtown Burlington, Vermont, City Market provides a large selection of local, organic and conventional foods and thousands of Vermont-made products. Visit City Market, Onion River Co-op online at www.CityMarket.coop or call 802-861-9700.

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