Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) has donated USD75,000 to 11 Southeast Michigan urban farming groups to strengthen the urban agriculture community's ability to grow and distribute food to people in need. The funding was provided from the Mahindra Automotive North America Urban Agriculture Grant Program.

The grants address COVID-19's impact on locally available food supplies in inner-city areas in Detroit, Flint, and Pontiac, especially for households facing the dual challenge of keeping family members healthy and putting wholesome food on their tables.

"We felt that concentrating our 2020 grant funds on strengthening the urban agriculture community's ability to grow and distribute food to people in need was one of the ways we could be of the most help during the pandemic," said Rick Haas, MANA President and CEO.

Since the programme's inception in 2015, MANA has donated more than USD625,000 in cash and farm equipment to 20 unique community-based organisations in Southeast Michigan. Those grant funds have been used to train and equip thousands of home gardeners who grow food for their families, friends, and neighbors.

"Now more than ever, we need to support Michigan's urban farmers who are growing healthy food for their communities," said US Senator Debbie Stabenow. "I applaud the commitment of MANA and all businesses and organisations who are strengthening urban farms in our state."

MANA's grants in previous years also enabled innovative projects, like the development of a cost-saving home irrigation prototype; while others encouraged the preparation of the next generation of urban farmers for future careers and business opportunities. The company's donations have also included three off-road Mahindra vehicles (including two locally built Mahindra ROXORs) and three Mahindra tractors.