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GRAND RAPIDS — The Blandin Foundation has approved a $1.575 million grant to the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation, fiscal sponsor for Free Range Food Co-op, to support construction of a full-service, community-owned grocery store in downtown Grand Rapids.

"The store will serve more than 58,000 area residents and visitors with locally sourced, organic and natural foods," a release said. "The store brings to life a vision begun in 2015, when three area residents discussed ways to increase community well-being through easier access to local, wholesome, organic foods and goods."

Since then, FRFC has grown into a grassroots effort with more than 1,200 owner-members who have provided more than 9,500 volunteer hours and $1 million in start-up funding.

With leadership from a committed board and support from national cooperative experts, the co-op aims to open the estimated $6.3 million store in 2027, the release said. The new store will be located across from Old Central ÍáÍáÂþ»­ in the downtown area.

"The Blandin Foundation’s grant — our largest investment to date, covering about a quarter of the overall project — lays the cornerstone for a community-owned grocery store in downtown Grand Rapids," FRFC Board Chair Tom Connolly said in the release. "It jump-starts construction and proves that fresh, local food is a shared priority for our area."

FRFC will anchor money and jobs locally, through community ownership and management of the business, with a goal of local growers and producers providing at least 15% of their products.

"Making healthy, fresh food affordable and easy to buy is another main driver for the co-op," the release said. "According to a 2024 study by National Co-op Grocers, co-ops offer prices than other food stores."

People will be able to shop at the co-op even if they aren’t co-op members. The store will accept SNAP program benefits and offer classes on nutrition and health.

FRFC will also help grow the ecosystem of locally-focused food co-ops in the northern part of the state. Grand Rapids will join Virginia, Bemidji and Duluth as

Locally, FRFC has developed strong partnerships with the City of Grand Rapids, area growers, local banks and downtown businesses.

"The food co-op will be a gathering place and educational space, giving working families across our area good food for their tables and good wages in their pockets," Linda Gibeau, grants officer for small communities at Blandin Foundation, said in the release. "It’s an excellent example of how rural people are building their own futures."

The FRFC grant embodies the values of Charles Blandin, whose vision for the Foundation and the Grand Rapids area centered on self-reliance, sustainability and economic opportunity for workers’ rural communities.

The project promotes rural placemaking and community pride by revitalizing downtown Grand Rapids and reconnecting local producers with consumers through a community-owned business model.

"This grant supports a model of economic development that puts ownership and opportunity into the hands of the community," said Kyle Erickson, director of rural grantmaking at the Blandin Foundation. "It builds not just a grocery store, but a resilient local food system and a welcoming community hub. This is community wealth building in action."

With construction costs surging more than 40% in recent years, community support is core to the co-op’s success. Since last year, the FRFC team has been working toward an initial community fundraising goal of $1.5 million.

They are also pursuing additional regional, state and federal funding opportunities, the release said.

"The Blandin Foundation grant helps affirm our member-owners’ vision and brings us closer to having a cooperatively owned grocery store for the Itasca area," said Becky LaPlant, community investment campaign team lead for FRFC. "This investment is not just about bricks and mortar. It’s about people, values and the kind of future we can accomplish together."