In Oct. of 2023, Chobani Senior Director of Manufacturing Bill Cooper thanked Commerce Chenango for selecting Chobani as the recipient  of the 'Manufacturer of the Year' award, and said Chobani plans to continue to make an impact in all of the communities in which it operates. (Photo by Zachary Meseck)

NEW BERLIN — Chobani recently announced the recipients of its 6th annual Chobani Community Impact Fund Grant to Central New York, totaling over $100,000 which included $20,000 to Norwich City School District (NCSD) and $17,917 to Improve Norwich Now (INN)-Aunt Mary's House.

Chobani Impact & Partnerships Vice President Becca Dittrich stated, “Since day one, Chobani has believed in better food for more people.”

“We are driven by championing change, and by proving the power of business when it uses its influence as a force for good,” said Dittrich. “We are so excited to provide grants to these seven organizations, and grateful to our Chobani employee committee that votes on the recipients.”

“By doing so, they are having a real firsthand impact on the organizations serving the places they call home,” she added.

According to Chobani, the Norwich City School District will utilize the funds to expand its backpack and food pantry program.

Chobani noted Improve Norwich Now-Aunt Mary's House grant funds will be utilized to create a kitchen space for pregnant and parenting women.

Aunt Mary’s House Executive Director Brenda White said, “The house is under renovation at this time. We had a volunteer work day which included tearing out everything that was in the existing kitchen as it all needed replacement.

“That being said,” she continued, “We will be creating a brand new kitchen for our mothers to utilize.”

White explained the kitchen space will allow mothers and pregnant women they house to learn how to prepare and create nourishing and healthy meals for themselves and their babies. She said this will create a new found food security for them that they have never had and will also prepare them to go out and do this in their own homes once they finish the program.

According to the press release, Chobani’s additional recipients of the Impact Fund Grant were: Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties who received $20,000; Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York received $20,000; Rural Health Network Serving South Central New York received $20,000; St. James Feeding Ministries received $26,000, and The Cooperstown Food Pantry received $12,000.

The Chobani Impact Fund Grant debuted in 2018 and has awarded approximately $1.7 million in grants to over 50 organizations in New York and Idaho, including 26 in Central New York. Their products are manufactured in New York, Idaho, and Australia, and available throughout North America.

For more information, visit www.chobani.com.