New Program to Increase Access to Healthy Foods in Underserved Communities

USDA and Reinvestment Fund are launching the Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (FARE Fund), a new program under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative to increase access to healthy foods in communities underserved by grocery stores. The FARE Fund will make $60 million available in 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. Funding will be available for the next five years. Eligible organizations include food retailers and food retail suppliers. Applicants may apply for loans ranging from $500,000 to $5 million to implement healthy food projects. Funds may be used to support predevelopment, land acquisition, renovations and equipment purchases.