BRINGING HEALTHY FOODS TO NEEDY COMMUNITIES

Recently, representatives for several federal agencies joined representatives from community projects from around the country to discuss how to increase healthy food access to communities in need.  Participants heard about USDA’s Health Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), which is part of the new Farm Bill.  HFFI will provide financial and technical assistance to eligible fresh, healthy food retailers for market planning and promotion as well as infrastructure and operational improvements designed to stimulate demand for healthy foods among low-income consumers and to increase the availability and accessibility of locally and regionally produced foods in underserved areas. This program will expand healthy food access for families on SNAP. The President’s most recent budget proposal includes a request of $13 million for this work.

 

Source: USDA, 3/26/14, Healthy Foods