Michigan is a state unlike any other. From the creative heartbeat of Detroit, to the vibrant neighborhoods of Ypsilanti, and the bustling capital of Lansing, the Great Lakes State is defined by its resilient communities and the people who make them up. 

Yet today, 1 in 6 Michiganders do not have consistent access to fresh, nutritious food. Shipt wants to help change that.  

"Shipt is committed to expanding access to fresh, nutritious food, but we know that lasting change comes from within the community," said Shipt Chief People & Community Officer Ricardo Vargas. "We are incredibly proud to stand alongside Michigan's local leaders, invest in, and amplify the incredible initiatives already making a difference across the state.”

Shipt is dedicated to supporting local solutions to food insecurity by investing in community-led projects and partners already doing incredible work right here in Michigan. We do this work, because we know that when communities have greater access to fresh food, it not only creates thriving communities, but also prosperous local economies. 

Did you know that for every dollar spent at a farmers market, an estimated $2.60 in economic activity is generated in the surrounding area.

This summer, Shipt is expanding that support through three key initiatives: the LadderUp™ Accelerator, Garden Grants, and Community Impact Grants programs.

Empowering Local Changemakers: The LadderUp™ Accelerator

Real change starts at the grassroots level. That’s why five Michigan small businesses have been selected for the fourth cohort of Shipt’s LadderUp™ Accelerator Program which is specifically designed to help fresh food organizations scale their impact. 

Over an eight-week program, these local changemakers receive:

• A $5,000 grant to help fuel their local operations

• Mentorship and education from industry leaders

• A valuable peer-to-peer cohort model where they can learn lessons from one another, and those who have walked in their footsteps

The Michigan-based organizations driving this local change include:

E. Warren Development Corp (Farmers Market)
Detroit, Mich.

• E. Warren Development Corp is a community and economic nonprofit working to support the revitalization of the E. Warren Corridor. We’re more than just a market. We are intentional in working to support our local & small businesses to grow, sustain and thrive.

Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation - Northwest Detroit Farmers Market 
Detroit, Mich.

• The mission of the Northwest Detroit Farmers Market is to increase access to fresh, healthy foods while supporting local farmers and small businesses, fostering community connections, and providing educational opportunities that promote nutrition, wellness, and neighborhood engagement.

Growing Hope (Farmers Market)
Ypsilanti, Mich.

• Growing Hope fosters an equitable and sustainable local food system where all people are empowered to grow, sell, buy, prepare, and eat nourishing food.

Hope Village Farmers Market 
Detroit, Mich.

• HOPE Village Revitalization is a community-led, community driven organization whose mission is to move the HOPE Village neighborhood forward in a way that mitigates disparities in wealth, privilege and educational resources. We pledge to collaborate and be part of the collective working toward equitable and sustainable development in Detroit, and to be known as a model of excellence, integrity and community decision making.

People's Food Co-op 
Ann Arbor, Mich. 

• People's Food Co-op provides the Ann Arbor community with accessible, sustainable, and local food and household products as an economically just, member-owned business.

Past LadderUp™ Participants

Now in it’s fourth cohort, Shipt’s LadderUp program has seen many Michiganders come through the program from all backgrounds, who are dedicated to serving residents across the state. 

East Lansing’s Campbell’s Market Basket, a local grocery store located right outside of Michigan State University, participated in the program in 2025. When reflecting back on their journey, they shared: “This program opened our eyes to just how much there is to learn — in the best way possible. It was a valuable reminder that growth as a small business depends on staying curious, continuously learning, and keeping an open mind about industry trends and changes.”

Other past participants from Michigan include:

• Campbell’s Market Basket (2025) in East Lansing, provides students and local residents with affordable access to products directly from local growers. They are dedicated to making fresh, high-quality food accessible to everyone.
  
  

• Neighborhood Grocery (2024) in Detroit, which serves as both a fresh food provider and a resilience hub in some of Detroit’s food deserts. Their community-focused approach brings equitable resources directly to the residents, acting as a catalyst for culture, connection, and positive change. 
  
  

• Pillar and Pride in Detroit (2023), noticed a lack of health-related offerings in Detroit and took a leap and opened a store focused on wellness, education and empowerment. Pillar & Pride was interested in expanding its e-commerce capabilities.

Planting Seeds for the Future: Garden Grants

Community gardens are more than just green spaces; they play a vital role in strengthening communities, bringing neighbors together across generations and connecting people to fresh food. Shipt has partnered with Target to launch a new Garden Grants program to support 50 community-led urban garden projects in markets across the U.S., including Detroit. 

The grant will help awardees establish, revitalize, and expand urban gardens, making them hubs of community connection. The possibilities are broad — from adding walkways and path lights, to installing irrigation and trellises.

Grant awards will be announced in May 2026 – just in time for the growing season.

Supporting Lasting Change: Community Impact Grants

Shipt’s Community Grants program supports local organizations that are working to create accessible and sustainable food infrastructure. The program invests in both early and established nonprofits that are re-imagining how they transform and narrow the impacts of hunger in their communities. Since launching in 2022, Shipt has awarded over 80 Community Impact Grants, totaling more than $1.2M to organizations, including groups in Michigan. 

The 2026 grant cycle will open for applications from May 11 to June 12, 2026.

By investing in the people and projects that make Michigan so special, Shipt is proud to support initiatives that help bridge the food security gap across the state. Learn more about Shipt’s broader efforts to reduce food insecurity nationwide.