Mon, Jul-29-24, 18:26
|
 |
Senior Member
Posts: 2,187
|
|
Plan: Atkins-ish (hypoglycemia)
Stats: 000/000/000
BF:
Progress: 50%
|
|
I just had a monthly email from the USDA regarding $60 million going towards grants and loans to bring healthier food to underserved communities (food deserts).
Quote:
At the National Rural Grocer’s Summit last week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack 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.
“People across this country deserve fresh, healthy and affordable foods,” Secretary Vilsack said. “Through this program, the Biden-Harris Administration is partnering with food retailers to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, delicious foods while also supporting local farmers and ranchers. We are revitalizing the food systems in this country and increasing access for those that need it.”
|
Quote:
|
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.
|
I tend to get mostly information from the USDA regarding loans, grants and coverage of loss due to natural disasters - this is the first I've seen info from them directly related to improving food access in rural and underserved areas.
Quote:
Background
Many low-income communities lack adequate, affordable access to healthy food. HFFI provides grants and loans to entities that offer healthy foods in communities that are underserved by grocery stores and other food retailers. The program increases access to healthy foods, provides new market opportunities for farmers and ranchers, stabilizes small and independent retailers, and creates good-paying jobs and economic opportunity in low-income communities.
The FARE Fund is an expansion of HFFI administered by the Reinvestment Fund on behalf of USDA Rural Development.
Through HFFI, USDA partners with Reinvestment Fund to bring healthy food options to underserved rural, urban and Tribal communities. Reinvestment Fund serves as the National Fund Manager for USDA. It raises capital; provides financial and technical assistance to regional, state and local partnerships; and helps fund projects to improve access to fresh, healthy foods in underserved areas.
|
My point in posting this is that the goal of supporting farmers and ranchers is to bring real food to communities that have very limited access to regular grocery stores.
The rest of us already have access to healthy food - it's just a matter of choosing to eat real, healthy food, rather than filling up on junk food and fast food. The food deserts desperately need the ability to access real food - this should help greatly with that.
I'll be sure to post any other specifics I get about it as time goes by.
|