At the National Rural Grocer’s Summit, USDA Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Cole announced that USDA and Reinvestment Fund are launching a new program under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) to increase access to healthy foods in communities underserved by grocery stores.

Funding for the new Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (FARE Fund) is made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act.

“Access to affordable and healthy sustainable foods in rural Oklahoma grocery stores is a key priority of President Biden’s commitment to restoring fairness for the American family,” Corn said.

“With the leadership through Secretary Vilsack’s office within the USDA, the Biden-Harris Administration is partnering with food retailers across rural America to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, delicious foods while also supporting local farmers and ranchers. Fairness starts at the dinner table and this investment underscores the President’s priority of delivering a fair shake for all Americans regardless of their zip code.”

Through the HFFI FARE Fund, USDA and the Reinvestment Fund are making available $60 million 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.

Applicants may also apply for grants up to $250,000 to implement healthy food projects. Funds may be used to support project management, equipment purchases and construction.

The program also offers funding for business support, or technical assistance, to support projects in their early stages. Funds may be used to support market and feasibility studies, business planning and store design.

Potentially eligible projects can check for eligibility now and sign up to be notified when the program begins accepting applications at: www.investinginfood. com/fare-fund.