The Fair Food Network, a national nonprofit and investor with a mission to grow community health and wealth through food, supported by several CMF members, will move its headquarters to Detroit this month.

According to a press release, along with welcoming new CEO Kate Krauss, this move from Ann Arbor to Detroit is part of Fair Food Network’s next chapter as it continues to grow as a national investor and innovator in creating resilient food systems in Michigan and beyond.

“Fair Food Network will keep roots in Ann Arbor as we move our headquarters to Detroit and grow deeper connections in the city,” Krauss said. “Creating a work environment that is vibrant, supportive, and reflective of our mission has been a priority for years, so when employee feedback suggested we reconnect in person in Michigan’s largest city and one of the epicenters of food and culture in our state, it was a natural next step. We will continue to work closely with our partners across Michigan, and nationally, to improve healthy and affordable food choices, invest in farmers and local food businesses to become engines for positive economic change, and grow ecological resilience as an integral part of community health and wealth.”

Double Up Food Bucks, which was facilitated by the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison and supported by over 25 CMF members, started in Detroit, where it was first piloted in five farmers markets in 2009.

Double Up has since spread to more than 250 participating farmers markets and food retail locations across Michigan and has been adopted by partners in 30 states across the country, improving healthy food access from coast to coast.

According to the press release, the Network has also invested in food businesses in the city to support them as they provide nourishment to their community and grow economic opportunities where they live. In the past 10 years, Fair Food Network has made 37 total investments in food businesses, including 10 investments in Michigan and four within the city of Detroit.

Later this month, Krauss will join our CMF community of philanthropy as a speaker for the first-ever in-person convening of the Michigan Impact Investing Hub in Kalamazoo.

All foundations, nonprofits, advisors, fund managers and other partners in the impact investing ecosystem are invited to register and join us on April 27. The convening will feature opportunities for shared learning around impact investing practices and policies, as well as open networking and facilitated collaboration. 

Want more?

Read the full press release.