The FruitGuys Community Fund Announces 2015 Grant Cycle

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The FruitGuys Community Fund, a non-profit fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives, today announced that the application process for the 2015 grant cycle is now open. Small grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded in April 2015 to farms and agricultural nonprofits that have big impacts on environmental, economic, and community health. Projects to be considered should help farms and orchards operate more sustainably, both environmentally and economically, as well as strengthen community outreach.

The FruitGuys Community Fund was established in 2012 and grew out of The Farm Steward Program at The FruitGuys, the industry leader and first to provide farm-fresh fruit to the American workplace, based in South San Francisco. In 2013, five grants were made in California and Pennsylvania. In 2014, eight grants were awarded in Wisconsin, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and California.

"More than 60 applicants from the West, Midwest, and East coast applied for the 2014 grants, up from 15 in 2013, the Community Fund's first year of operation," said Chris Mittelstaedt, founder and board chair of The FruitGuys Community Fund, a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives. "We are committed to helping small farms become more sustainable and are confident that we will identify well deserving farms, farmers and projects. We firmly believe that supporting small farms bolsters communities in major ways."

Eight recipients were awarded a total of just over $30,000 in grants based on scores for 2014's areas of focus: pollination, pest control, soil health, and low-income food access. Past recipients have used their grants toward funding pollination, irrigation, solar energy and farming practice upgrades that have allowed them to expand and operate with higher profitability.

Grant applications are due by midnight PST, Monday, February 16, 2015. Projects must be completed by December 1, 2015. Please visit The FruitGuys Community Fund to apply and for complete deadlines and requirements.

Donations to The FruitGuys Community Fund are accepted via fiscal sponsor Community Initiatives.

Farmers and Community Fund board members are available for media interviews, upon request.

Media Contact:
Tracy Rubin / Tracey Koblick
JCUTLER media group
[email protected] / [email protected]

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SOURCE The FruitGuys