PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative

The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) is a statewide program that invests in grocery stores and other healthy food retail outlets in order to increase access to healthy, affordable grocery food options for under-resourced communities.

This program is overseen by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and is administered by The Food Trust for PA.

Information on the program is below. For more detailed information and to apply, visit The Food Trust.

Program Objectives

• Contribute to better health outcomes by improving access to fresh foods
• Stimulate investment of private capital in low- to moderate-income communities
• Remove financing obstacles and operating barriers for grocery stores and other healthy food retail in lower-income communities
• Strengthen the local food system and increase market opportunities for PA farmers
• Support the creation and preservation of quality, living wage jobs
• Create and retain a qualified workforce

Eligibility

Applicants may be for-profit, nonprofit, or cooperative entities. Eligible projects include the development, renovation and expansion of grocery stores, convenience stores, bodegas, mobile markets, farmers markets and more. 

In order to be consideredd for funding, projects must:

• Improve access to affordable, high quality fresh produce and other healthy grocery items for low- to moderate-income shoppers in places where there is not currently adequate access
• Accept or demonstrate plans to accept SNAP and/or WIC to the maximum extent possible (or have connection to retailers that will accept them)
• Demonstrate a path to profitability/financial sustainability
• Apply with a defined location, service area, or customer base
• Operate and provide service in Pennsylvania
• Demonstrate strong engagement and support from local residents and a commitment to providing a positive economic and social impact to the local community.
• Include an experienced manager on the team, with experience managing a similar healthy food project
• Serve customers that live in a low-to moderate-income (LMI) area, by locating in an LMI census tract or demonstrating that a significant number of customers reside in LMI areas

A complete list of eligibility criteria can be found here.

Financing

The PA FFFI provides one-time support for costs associated with opening, renovating or expanding eligible food businesses. Financing packages may include grants, loans and other funding tools on a case-by-case basis in order to appropriately meet the needs of each project. The amount of grant funding offered depends on the availability of funds within the program at the time of application, the need of the borrower, and the size and expected impact of the project. Grant terms and amounts will be determined by The Food Trust in its capacity as program administrator.

To Apply

The Food Trust is currently accepting applications through Tuesday, February 28, 2023, for the first round of funding. The Food Trust, with support from Reinvestment Fund, Community First Fund and Bridgeway Capital, will review each application to determine whether the proposed project meets program goals and is financially viable.

Applicants must submit an application through The Food Trust, here. Applications will be reviewed to confirm eligibility and then appropriate determinations will be made regarding any funding decisions