Shipt has announced the inclusion of 11 fresh food organizations in its third LadderUp Accelerator Program cohort. This initiative aims to assist these organizations—comprising CSAs, farmers markets, food co-ops, and local grocery stores—by providing a $5,000 grant, mentorship, and market education. The program is designed to bridge specific gaps identified by the participants through a curriculum taught by Shipt leaders and industry experts.
The program focuses on helping these businesses identify funding opportunities, enhance their online presence, and build a network with fellow participants to exchange ideas and best practices. Ivy Walls, owner of Fresh Houwse Grocery, remarked on the benefits of the program, stating, “LadderUp was a great opportunity for Fresh Houwse to learn firsthand, skills and techniques and how to utilize these resources to bring more opportunity to our community.”
Participants of this year’s cohort include FreshGreens Market in Montgomery, Alabama, which connects local farmers to the community, and provides education on food cultivation and healthy living. Neighborhood Grocery in Detroit operates as a resilience hub in local food deserts, while Campbell’s Market Basket in East Lansing connects students and locals to affordable, farm-fresh products.
Other organizations like Good Grocer in Minneapolis focus on volunteer-powered models and provide opportunities for neurodiverse populations. Meanwhile, the West Georgia Farmers Cooperative has been supporting low-income communities since 1966.
With growing concerns about access to fresh food, Shipt reiterates its commitment to food accessibility through programs like LadderUp and partnerships with Feeding America and the American Red Cross, highlighting that over 40 million Americans face challenges in accessing affordable, nutritious food.
Shipt aims to continue its impact on food security through these collaborative efforts with fresh food organizations nationwide.
