Chobani has long been involved in the community, providing grants, donations, and sponsorship to many local organizations and events. Pictured is Chobani employees handing out products during the Saturday in the Park and Norwitch Fall Festival event on Saturday, October 30. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NEW BERLIN – In its continuing efforts to spark big ideas, Chobani announced this year’s recipients of the annual Chobani Impact Fund – a program designed to fuel innovation, expand economic opportunity, and promote entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusion in Central NY.

Through its partnership with the Community Foundation for South Central New York, $200,000 in grants will be distributed to five CNY organizations chosen by Chobani’s employee selection committee.

“We know what it’s like for an entrepreneur to have a big dream but need a little financial boost to make it a reality. This is exactly how Chobani was founded,” said Peter McGuinness, Chobani President and Chief Operating Officer. “Our goal is  to pay it forward in our home communities  by supporting entrepreneurs, development organizations and small businesses, all of whom help to create jobs and strengthen our local economies.”

Since its debut in 2018, the Chobani Impact Fund has awarded $1.4M in grants to 30 organizations in Central New York and its other home community in Idaho.

“It’s our pleasure and privilege to partner with Chobani again this year in making these important grants to local organizations meeting critical community needs,” said Diane Brown, Executive Director Community Foundation for South Central New York.

The 2021 Chobani Community Impact Fund recipients are:

Cornell Cooperative Extension-Chenango County:

The goal of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County is to help farms keep pace with industry innovations, including transitioning to new farm products and technologies, improving animal health, and better management of natural resources.  This Chobani grant will fund the Cornell School of Ag Science Partnership Program –  providing farmers in the region with localized recommendations on crop harvests, insect pest control, and disease issues to help manage crops for greater profit for the farm.  (Grant: $63,000) 

 

Unadilla Community Farm Education Center:

This organization offers space for training, internships, and youth programs on sustainable agriculture, building, and food equity, as well as access to fresh, organic produce for low-income and low-access communities.  One of the organization’s programs – the accredited ‘Beginning Farmer  Training  Program’  – provides  agricultural workforce development and training for youth to start their own sustainable food and farm businesses.  This grant will create economic opportunity and workforce development in the  Edmeston  region by adding three paid seasonal  staff  positions, more interns, classes, and enriching, customized learning experienced for participants.  (Grant: $63,000) 

HALos, Inc.:

Help After Loss (HALos) is a grassroots, not-for-profit grief resource and referral organization  that raises awareness about loss and  its  impact on children. This grant will be used  in the construction of Phase 2  of the HUB for HALos office and community spaces – and will provide three entrepreneurs with newly renovated space to develop their own small businesses.  (Grant: $33,000)   

 

Delaware County Economic Development:

This  grant will fund the development of Andel Greenhouse; a 3,000 sq. ft.  carbon-neutral greenhouse addressing  local food accessibility. The greenhouse will provide  an  environmentally sustainable  and profitable roadmap for farmers, developers, and entrepreneurs seeking a business model in advanced agriculture.  It  will  also  help increase local food accessibility, utilizing the  profitable business model to make 25% of the produce available to EBT/ SNAP recipients at a reduced cost. 

(Grant: $23,000) 

Pathfinder Village Foundation, Inc:

Pathfinder Village  Foundation supports the open-access residential community and service provider for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).  This grant will  restructure  Pathfinder's  Mobile Market (a  produce  delivery service)  into a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription  (F&VRx) program. The F&VRx supports permanent food prescription insurance benefits in New York State, helps support underserved and food  insecure residents  with weekly fresh produce deliveries, and  provides paid work for adults with I/DD.  (Grant: $18,000) 

   

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all.  In support of this mission, we are a values-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and have been since Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S., founded the company in 2005.  We produce yogurt, oatmilk, dairy- and plant-based creamers, ready-to-drink coffee and plant-based probiotic drinks.  Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, and it’s made with only natural ingredients without artificial preservatives.​

 

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world – putting humanity first in everything we do.  Our philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to our communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. We manufacture our products in New York, Idaho, and Australia. Chobani products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets. For more information, please visit www.chobani.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The Community Foundation for South Central New York, a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in Johnson City, encourages and facilitates personal and institutional philanthropy throughout the region by managing 143 funds within the Foundation’s endowment that are established by donors to achieve specific charitable goals. From these funds, the Foundation has awarded over $21 million in grants to the area’s nonprofits to help address community concerns and improve the quality of life in the region. The Community Foundation serves donors and nonprofits in five New York counties: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Tioga. More information about the Foundation can be found on its website at www.donorswhocare.org.

– From Chobani