USDA and Reinvestment Fund Launch New Program to Increase Access to Healthy Foods in Underserved Communities
USDA and Reinvestment Fund Launch New Program to Increase Access to Healthy Foods in Underserved Communities. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced at the National Rural Grocer's Summit that the USDA and Reinvestment Fund are starting a new initiative under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative to enhance access to nutritious foods in disadvantaged regions that are not well-served by grocery stores. President Biden's American Rescue Plan Act provides funding for the recently established Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund. USDA and the Reinvestment Fund are offering $60 million in loans, grants, and technical assistance through the HFFI FARE Fund for food retail and food retail supply chain initiatives that improve access to healthful food in underprivileged communities that are not well-served by grocery stores. For the next five years, funding will be made accessible.
