GREEN GROCER PROGRAM
WHAT IS THE GREEN GROCER PROGRAM?
The overarching goal of the Green Grocer Program is to have more fresh and healthy food available at retail food locations in Detroit. In addition to the continued support of larger traditional full-service grocery stores, this phase of GGP will emphasize attraction efforts to create walkable neighborhood grocery shopping options through new smaller-scale fully operational neighborhood grocery stores, existing convenience stores willing to include grocery essentials, fresh meat and produce, and innovative hybrid food locations, all of which have fresh healthy food options
The Green Grocer Program (GGP) is a program implemented by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) from 2010 until 2017 to improve fresh food access and strengthen the grocery economy in the city of Detroit. The Green Grocer Program was undertaken by the Detroit Economic Growth Association (DEGA) (philanthropic funding primarily for technical assistance and/or façade grants) and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) (CDBG-R Loan funds).
GGP supported independent full-service grocery stores in Detroit and attracted national and regional grocery stores to the city of Detroit utilizing grants and loan funding, technical assistance, and tax incentives. These investments in grocery stores have created and retained jobs, with the improved stores serving as community anchors and providing improved access to local, nutritious, healthy food. Post GGP evaluations confirmed these positive outcomes.
Upon completion of the first phase of the Green Grocer Program in 2017, Detroit’s grocery sector was positively impacted with investment in excess of $50 Million for GGP assisted stores’ new construction, expansions, and renovations. There was over $1 Million in façade improvement grants and technical assistance grants for more than 35 Detroit grocery stores. Fourteen Green Grocer stores created 115 new jobs and after five years in operation, Whole Foods Detroit had over 170 full-time positions.
Funds have been allocated by the City of Detroit have been sub-granted by the EDC to the DEGA for the continuation of the Green Grocer Program. In the future EDC will have on-hand loan proceeds from the CDBG-R Revolving Loan program that can be used for additional grocery store loans.
As the Green Grocer Program evolved, it became evident that food access issues remained, as the closest retail food locations for most Detroiters continued to be neighborhood convenience stores, liquor stores and gas station locations. Neighborhood market research supported these food access concerns and opportunities.
The pandemic highlighted challenges and opportunities within Detroit’s grocery ecosystem. Longstanding full-service business models with limited prepared foods and delivery options saw the pivot of smaller stores and restaurants attempting to capture pandemic food demands with delivery systems, partnerships, and new product offerings. Notwithstanding new stores and improved existing stores made possible through the initial phase of GGP, for most Detroiters, convenience stores, liquor stores, gas stations and dollar stores, are typically the closest food options. This provides Green Grocer Program significant opportunities to bring fresh and healthy food to neighborhoods throughout Detroit.
The Green Grocer Program vision remains unchanged from the original Green Grocer Program: increase the quantity of quality grocery options in the city of Detroit. Program activities must enhance the consumer experience, increase access to fresh food, make a positive impact for the neighborhood and for the consumer, and inspire business innovation and new neighborhood partnerships.
The overarching goal of the Green Grocer Program is to have more fresh and healthy food available at retail food locations in Detroit. In addition to the continued support of larger traditional full-service grocery stores, this phase of GGP will emphasize attraction efforts to create walkable neighborhood grocery shopping options through new smaller-scale fully operational neighborhood grocery stores, existing convenience stores willing to include grocery essentials, fresh meat and produce, and innovative hybrid food locations, all of which have fresh healthy food options.
The Green Grocer Program intends to leverage relationships with state and local fresh food partnerships, and DEGC’s existing programs and loan products.
Cash Grants.
Green Grocer Program Cash Grant Awards can provide eligible awardees with funding to assist in opening a small format grocery store or providing fresh food options in an existing retail location in Detroit (including convenience stores or other retail locations). Grant funding will enable grocery development projects to procure needed equipment, technology, inventory, and buildout completion. Cash grants are $25,000 maximum per store.
Loan Financing (will be available in the future)
Green Grocer Program Loan funds can provide eligible awardees with financing to assist in opening a small format grocery store or providing fresh food options in an existing retail location in Detroit. These loans will enable grocery development projects to procure needed equipment, technology, inventory, and buildout completion in an estimated amount of up to $50,000 per store. Larger format stores with significantly greater equity investment may receive GGP loan financing up to $100,000. The amount for the small format stores and larger stores may vary based on the unique needs of the awardees. Loans are subject to US Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) requirements and approval by the EDC Board of Directors.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The following section provides minimum requirements that businesses must meet to participate in the Green Grocer Program. To be eligible for assistance, the business must be:
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A registered for-profit business in good standing with the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit (including appropriate business and blight clearances), with a business address located within the City of Detroit.
Small format specialty stores (1,500 – 5,000 sq. ft.) increase groceries and fresh foods to over 15% of selling space.
Mixed market community stores (3,000 – 15,000 sq. ft.) increase fresh produce, meat, dairy, specialty, organic or other alternatively sourced product.
New Construction (over 10,000 sq. ft) with fresh produce, meat, and dairy.
Alternative format stores with preponderance of fresh food.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Program applications for Round 3 cash grants opened September 5, 2025. Apply here. Additional rounds may be opened as needed until allocated funding for cash grants is exhausted. Application review occurs bi-weekly, and grant awardees will be notified on a rolling basis. Round 3 applications will close October 15, 2025.
Applicants will receive an automatic confirmation email after submitting, and a notification email once applications are processed as to whether the business was accepted or denied for the Program, or additional information is required.
For cash grants, businesses will be scored based on the criteria below and applicants can earn up to 100 points:
Vision and plan for the business based on the clear articulation, and relevancy of benefit. (30 points)
Employment impact of the business owners and stakeholders of the business. (20 points)
Community support for businesses includes benefits to community’s access to fresh healthy food. (30 points)
Financial need and business plan viability is demonstrated. (20 points)
Interested Grocery Retail Businesses in Detroit can apply for a cash grant on the DEGC Website.
Once you apply, your information is reviewed, scored, and verified, you will receive an acceptance or denial response within 30 days of applying for Green Grocer cash grant.
Green Grocer Cash Grant Awardees are required to execute an Agreement with DEGA.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Awardees will be expected to attend events where they will be connected to other award winners and resources. They will also be asked to share their story through a variety of media opportunities. These types of opportunities will be determined after awardees are announced.
Cash Grants received through GGP may be considered taxable income by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the Michigan Department of Treasury, and/or the City of Detroit Finance Department. The awardee is strongly urged to consult with a tax professional to determine the federal, state and/or city tax implications of receipt of business assistance. The Detroit Economic Growth Association will issue a Form 1099 to each awardee.
Except as noted below, the DEGA will not share a business’s proprietary and confidential data with third parties except as needed for review during the award selection process, providing business support, and seeking funding under its funding agreement with the City of Detroit. Applicants should clearly mark such information as proprietary and confidential. Applicant data will not be sold.
NOTE: Some or all funding for the Program is provided to the DEGA by the City of Detroit. The City of Detroit is a governmental body. Thus, documents in the DEGA’s possession may be provided to the City of Detroit and will be subject to disclosure under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). DEGA will endeavor to not disclose any information of a Program applicant or participant it believes to be exempt under the FOIA but, notwithstanding anything stated otherwise herein, the DEGA cannot guarantee the confidentiality of Program applicant or participant submissions and specifically does not warrant that the application and any documents submitted therewith or in connection with the Program are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. Program applicants and participants are advised that documents and information submitted to the DEGA or GGP may become a public record. With respect to information which a business submits to the DEGA as part of its application, businesses should give specific attention to the identification of information they deem confidential, commercial, or financial information, proprietary information, or trade secrets and should appropriately mark such information as confidential prior to submission. A business should be prepared to provide justification why such marked information should not be publicly disclosed under the FOIA. Each business is advised that, without notice to the business and upon request from a third party, the GGP is required to make an independent determination as to whether the information may or must be divulged to that party and does not warrant that such information will be exempt from disclosure.
The information contained herein is subject to the actual grant-award documents and the written terms and conditions of the Green Grocer Program and the Detroit Economic Growth Association which govern the program, as the same may be amended from time to time. GGP also reserves the right to make the final determination of any person’s or organization’s eligibility and/or qualifications for program benefits, and to make allocation of program benefits as it may, in sole discretion deem appropriate.