Applications now open for Food Access and Retail Expansion funds; $60 million available to increase access to healthy food in communities underserved by grocery stores

By Staff Report, posted Sep 10, 2024 on BizFayetteville.com

Little Riddle LLC received a $120 thousand grant, through HFFI in 2022, to develop a community grocery and farm market in Camden County, where there are no grocery stores within 30 minutes.

On Monday, Sept. 9, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden announced that USDA and the Reinvestment Fund are opening the application window for the Food Access and Retail Expansion (HFFI FARE Fund). This new program under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative was announced at the Little Riddle Grocery Store located in Shiloh.

This new program, under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, will support food retail and food enterprises working to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas.

“Every American – no matter where they live – should have access to fresh and nutritious food,” Gooden said in a press release. “By partnering with Reinvestment Fund through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, USDA has helped improve access to healthy, affordable food in underserved

communities in nearly every state and Puerto Rico. Now, thanks to funding from President Biden’s historic American Rescue Plan Act, we look forward to continuing this important work here in North Carolina and across the country through the new Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund.”

Under the HFFI FARE Fund, USDA and Reinvestment Fund are making available $60 million of this funding through loans, grants and technical assistance for food retail and food retail supply chain projects that increase access to healthy food in communities underserved by grocery stores.

The HFFI FARE Fund is made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $155 million to the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. Eligible organizations include food retailers and food retail suppliers. To apply, organizations must first submit a funding inquiry form to the Reinvestment Fund by Monday, Oct. 14.

Inquiries must demonstrate how projects will help create, expand, or retain a food retail or food

enterprise business model. They must also show how projects will increase access to staple and

perishable foods.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Little Riddle LLC received a $120 thousand grant, through HFFI in 2022, to develop a community grocery and farm market in Camden County, where there are no grocery stores within 30 minutes. In collaboration with a regional food hub, the site serves as a wholesale aggregation, storage, and distribution point that will connect farmers and fishermen to new

markets.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas.

Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.

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