USDA and Reinvestment Fund launch new program to increase access to healthy food in rural areas

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — In hopes of making healthier foods more accessible in rural areas like West Virginia, the USDA has teamed up with the Reinvestment Fund for a new program.

Through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), the USDA Rural Development and Reinvestment Fund has initiated a new program where food retailers and food retail suppliers are eligible to apply for loans, grants and technical assistance through the Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (FARE Fund).

$60 million is available for the program nationally with loans of $500,000 to $5 million available for food retailers and retail suppliers for predevelopment, land acquisition, renovations and equipment purchases.

Grants of up to $250,000 can be used to support project management, equipment purchases and construction.

“USDA Rural Development, that’s kind of what we do. We’re out in these rural communities assisting them. I think it just shows part of USDA’s commitment to supporting local and regional food systems, so the people who live in even the most remote parts of West Virginia don’t have to travel far from home to have healthy food,” said Andrew Stacy, USDA Rural Development’s public information officer for West Virginia.

Although the application process has yet to open for this program, you can find out if you’re eligible to apply and receive updates on the program through its website .

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