Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café to launch crowdfunding campaign July 13

Acorn Farmers’ Market and Cafe is getting one step closer to reality as the Public Spaces, Community Places Program grant funding process is about to begin July 13. It’s time to support our local farmers’ market!

Submitted By Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café Board of Directors

Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café needs your help! The Public Spaces, Community Places Program through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is offering a grant to Acorn for $50,000, if a match of $50,000 can be raised through a 60-day crowdfunding campaign on the Patronicity website. This is an all-or-none grant opportunity. If we are successful, the renovations and equipment purchase will start in early fall of this year. Once completed, Acorn will be open 6 days–a total of 70-90 hours–a week, including a café with freshly-prepared foods.

Acorn’s crowdfunding campaign will launch next Monday, July 13. Donation levels range from $25 to $10,000. Each donor will receive a thank you gift based on donation level. Donations can be made online or via check. The campaign will close on September 10.

Over the past 16 months, since the grocery store closed its doors, the Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café all-volunteer Board of Directors has made tremendous progress:

• Obtained 501c3 status from the IRS to be a nonprofit, making all donations tax-deductible
• Secured a building lease-to-own agreement in which 80% of rental payments will go towards a purchase price
• Prepared the building for the temporary market that opened in November 2019, three days per week
• Successfully applied for and received $94,000 in grant funds and raised another roughly $30,000 in individual donations
• Completed architectural drawings for renovations with a volunteer professional Architect
• Accepted a contractor bid for required renovations
• Received quotes on all equipment needed
• Generated $55,000 in income for farmers and vendors through the temporary market
• Donated a value of $5,100 to the CRC food pantry.
• Completed application to accept SNAP benefits

Once renovations are completed, Acorn will be an even more important community asset. Take a moment to imagine how Acorn might benefit your life. Perhaps you might appreciate being able to swing by after work to pick up ingredients to make dinner; to stop by after church to enjoy lunch with the family; to pick up snacks before a canoe trip or a hike; to meet up with your book club for a chat over coffee or to join in on a cooking class to learn how to be a more frugal cook using seasonal items. There are countless other ways Acorn may improve life for Manchester residents.

What is this capital campaign paying for? The total budget for renovations and equipment is $200,000, half of which has already been raised. These funds will be used to complete the renovation on the exterior and interior of the building to transform the space into a beautiful community grocery store and café including:

• Complete renovation of the interior, flooring, electric and other updates
• Purchase produce cooler, produce tables, display equipment
• Install of a commercial kitchen and equipment
• Install of LED lighting and fixtures
• Purchase of exterior sign
• Installation of 10×10 exterior cooler for produce storage

Acorn has made remarkable progress from conception to the opening of temporary market in a short amount of time. Thousands of volunteer hours and financial donations have been invested in order to get Acorn to this point. We ask you now to consider making a gift between July 13 and September 10 to help Acorn set down roots and become a renewing resource of fresh and local food, learning opportunities and connection for our community for years to come.

If you have questions or inquiries please contact the Acorn team at: admin@acornfarmersmarketcafe.org. The Acorn Patronicity site will open for donations starting on July 13 at: www.patronicity.com/acorn, or search for “Grow Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café.”

If you prefer to give by cash or check, please make donations out to:
Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café
P.O. Box 432
Manchester, MI 48158

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.