In November, Reinvestment Fund awarded nearly $5.8 million in grants through its Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) 2024 Planning Grant Program, a program of America’s HFFI, a public-private partnership administered by Reinvestment Fund on behalf of USDA Rural Development. After receiving 194 full applications, HFFI selected Shared Harvest to be among the 45 projects awarded funds to support planning activities for developing or expanding food retail and food retail supply chain business models that will increase consumer access to healthy food in areas across the country with limited access to grocery stores.
“Early-stage funding for planning and predevelopment is challenging to obtain and essential in the long run to support sustainable businesses that help their communities thrive” said Don Hinkle-Brown, President and CEO of Reinvestment Fund, in a press release. “We are honored to continue our partnership with USDA to provide essential resources that help communities across the country start and expand critical food retail and food supply chain projects.”
HFFI Planning Grant Awards are designed to be one-time investments of capital into project planning or predevelopment activities that will support the development and success of a sustainable business model. Shared Harvest will use these grant funds for business and operations planning/development, construction predevelopment, community engagement and other capital needs.
Sincere thanks to our Grant Committee volunteers, owner/members and supporters throughout Elgin and the surrounding communities.
