Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is an inter-Department initiative that is carried out by the U.S. Treasury through its CDFI fund, Health and Human Services’ Community Economic Development Program, and USDA’s Rural Development. The purpose of the program is to improve access to affordable, healthy foods in urban and rural areas, particularly those areas composed predominantly of lower income neighborhoods and communities. RD provides financial assistance to a National Fund Manager, who administers a grant program and provides technical assistance.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Tribal Government (other)
- Nonprofit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
- Small Business Person
An applicant must be a Community Development Financial Institutions (CFDI) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Department CDFI Fund. The applicant must have been in existence as of February 7, 2014 and still be in existence at the time of application.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Applications will be ranked based on the points scored for the evaluation criteria. The highest ranking applicant will be selected for funding.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 90 to 120 days
- Appeal: From 15 to 30 days
Program details & compliance
Description
A National Fund Manager (NFM) designated by USDA will award grants and provide technical assistance. Grants will provide financial assistance to overcome higher costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved areas. Technical assistance will also be provided by the NFM to eligible projects. To receive either a grant or technical assistance, the project must include plans to expand or preserve the availability of staple and perishable foods in underserved areas with low- and moderate-income populations by maintaining or increasing the number of retail outlets that offer an assortment of perishable and staple foods in those areas. It must also accept or plan to accept benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Mission Categories
Primary: Small Business
Other categories:
Economic DevelopmentMinority Business Enterprise
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
The National Fund Manager will provide grant funding and technical assistance. Grant funds will be available to beneficiaries to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved urban, suburban, and rural areas. This flexible program will support innovations in fresh food retail and can assist retailers with a variety of aspects of store development and renovation processes, including predevelopment costs, energy efficiency upgrades, employee training, and security improvements aimed at providing a safe and welcoming shopping environment. All projects must accept, or plan to accept, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Technical assistance will be provided to selected projects for managerial, financial, or operational consultation, as well as for marketing and feasibility studies.
Required Documentation
Applicants must describe their experience with projects associated with retail, regional food systems, and locally-grown foods as well as with projects that serve women- and minority-owned businesses. Applicants must also provide information on outreach and collaboration, financial condition, project management capacity, experience in rural areas, and how the program will be evaluated. The agency may require additional information at its discretion.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements