The HFFI Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (HFFI FARE Fund) is designed to support projects that improve access to healthy food in underserved communities. The fund typically provides grants to organizations that aim to expand food retail options, enhance food access, and promote healthier food choices.
The HFFI Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (HFFI FARE Fund) is a new program under the expanded America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative. Over the next 5 years, the new program will provide $60 million in loans, grants, and technical assistance for the predevelopment, planning, and implementation of eligible food retail and food retail supply chain projects.
Funding
- Competitive grants and technical assistance will be available for eligible food retail and food retail supply chain projects in the predevelopment and implementation stages. In the 2024-2025 funding cycle, at least $9,000,000 is available for implementation grants, at least $1,500,000 is available for technical assistance, and at least $16,000,000 is available for loans. Grant funds will be distributed through three rounds of funding. Technical assistance and loans will be distributed on a rolling basis.
- Grant awards will be up to $250,000 for implementation and up to $100,000 for early-stage planning, predevelopment, and technical assistance. Loans to eligible projects may range between $500,000-$5,000,000. Loans may be paired with technical assistance or a grant to strengthen the viability of the project.
Eligibility
- Eligible applicant entities include for-profit business enterprises (including a corporation, limited liability company, sole proprietor, or public benefit corporation); cooperatively-owned businesses; tax-exempt nonprofit corporations; institutions of higher education; state and local governments and governmental agencies, authorities, commissions, and food policy councils; tribal governments and tribal governmental agencies, authorities, and food policy councils.
- Individuals are not eligible to apply to this opportunity.
Eligible Projects
- The HFFI FARE Fund could assist a variety of organizations, business models, and capital needs of ventures that process, distribute, aggregate, market, and sell healthy, fresh, and affordable foods to underserved communities and markets.
- Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project will contribute to food access through the availability of an assortment of Staple and Perishable Foods for retail sale, either directly or as part of the retail supply chain. Funding should build programmatic capacity, unlock additional sources of capital, catalyze project sustainability, meet financing gaps, and/or enable the next phase of project implementation for deeper impact or reach.
- Funding is designed to support catalytic projects that aren’t able to access traditional financing and may be used for predevelopment activities, equipment, construction hard costs, acquisition of land or buildings, and other one-time soft costs such as community engagement and environmental assessment.
Application
To be considered for a grant in Round 1 of the HFFI FARE Fund, Funding Inquiry Forms must be received by October 14, 2024 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Key Information about the HFFI FARE Fund (2024-2025):
Grant Amount: Up to $250,000
Eligibility: Nonprofits, community-based organizations, and other entities focused on food access and retail expansion in underserved areas.
– Focus Areas:
– Development of new food retail outlets (e.g., grocery stores, farmers’ markets).
– Expansion of existing food retail operations.
– Innovative programs that increase access to healthy foods.
– Initiatives that address food deserts and promote food security.
Application Process:
1. Proposal Submission: Organizations interested in applying will need to submit a detailed proposal outlining their project, objectives, and expected outcomes.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must demonstrate how their project aligns with the goals of the HFFI FARE Fund and how it will benefit the community.
3. Budget: A clear budget detailing how the grant funds will be utilized is typically required.
4. Timeline: Applicants should provide a timeline for project implementation and milestones.
Evaluation Criteria:
Impact: Potential to improve food access and health outcomes in the target community.
Sustainability: Plans for sustaining the project beyond the grant period.
Community Engagement: Involvement of community members in the planning and implementation process.
Innovation: Creative approaches to addressing food access challenges.
Important Dates:
Application Deadline: Check the official HFFI FARE Fund website or contact the administering organization for specific deadlines.
Funding Announcement: Typically announced a few months after the application deadline.
Application Closing Date:14th October, 2024
Resources:
Website: Visit the official HFFI FARE Fund websitefor detailed guidelines, application forms, and additional resources.
Workshops/Webinars: Look for informational sessions that may be offered to help applicants understand the process and requirements.
If you are considering applying for the HFFI FARE Fund, it is advisable to start preparing your proposal early and to reach out for any assistance or clarification needed during the application process.