A University of Wisconsin Oshkosh student’s small business venture is getting a boost from a Buck.
The university’s Alta Resources Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) summer incubator program, is the founder of Flora Fruit Co., a subscription service that delivers boxes of fresh fruit to customers’ front doors. The business is among those recently announced as receiving one of 50 grants to Black-led businesses and nonprofits from the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund (JLH Fund).
Jrue Holiday is in his first season with the Bucks, who are now taking on the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. Lauren Holiday, Jrue’s wife, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. women’s national soccer team. The couple launched the JLH Fund in 2020.
“It includes grant funding, mentorship and connections to potential people and resources that will help Flora Fruit Co. reach the next level,” Jalen Greenlee said. “My plan is to use everything the JLH Fund offers to continue to build the infrastructure so we can support capacity as demand for the product increases, as well as build some programs to help eliminate food deserts in the greater Milwaukee area.”
Flora Fruit Co. also began in 2020 and the service area includes the southeastern part of the state and the northeast from Appleton to Fond du Lac.
In late June, the JLH Fund announced a round of grants totaling $1 million to 25 Black-led businesses and 25 Black-led nonprofits, with priority given to organizations focused on social impact and creating a more equitable future for underserved communities. Flora Fruit Co. fits those parameters, as one of Greenlee’s goals is to get more healthy food to people with limited access to fresh produce.
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