Building Healthy Communities

Overview

This brochure includes information on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies and programs that help strengthen our food economy and local communities. There are brief descriptions of key Farm Bill provisions, examples of how some of these programs are being used, and links to more in-depth resources.

A Healthier Future for Miami-Dade County: Expanding Supermarket Access in Areas of Need

Overview

This report documents the uneven distribution of supermarket access throughout Miami-Dade County and identifies areas in greatest need of healthy food retail development.The lack of supermarket access and increased incidence of diet-relateddiseases in lower-income neighborhoods suggest the need for incentiveprograms and policies to support healthy food retail development inunderserved areas.

Understanding the Role of Community Development Finance in Improving Access to Healthy Food

Overview

Describes the role CDFIs play in financing healthy food retail and identifies how public health practitioners can partner with CDFIs to expand access to fresh, healthy food. CDFIs offer an alternative to conventional lending for financing supermarkets and other small businesses. The flexibility they provide in financing projects can help retailers offset the higher cost of opening stores in underserved areas.

WEBINAR-Healthy Food Retail in Rural Communities

Overview

Rural grocery stores anchor a community by supplying fresh foods and staples; creating local jobs; attracting complementary businesses; and increasing the tax base. Today they are under siege because of competition with “big box” stores for customers; high energy costs, the inability to buy products in small quantities; elderly owners with no succession plans, and low population density. This webinar explores the unique challenges that rural grocers face and discuss innovative solutions to improving access to healthy foods in rural America.

WEBINAR-Public and Private Grant and Loan Programs to Create or Expand Healthy Food Retail

Overview

This webinar provides an overview of the “Find Money” section of the Healthy Food Retail Portal and provide examples of specific federal, state and local resources that can be tapped to create or expand healthy food retail opportunities in underserved communities.

Profile: Fare & Square

Overview

Fare & Square is the culmination of numerous attempts to attract healthy food retailers to the severely distressed city of Chester, PA. Owned and operated by Philabundance, a nonprofit hunger relief organization, this 16,000-square-foot, nonprofit grocery store offers shoppers convenient access to “good food right around the corner” that has not been available in a grocery store format for more than a decade.

Wholesome Wave and CEI Invest in Rhode Island Food Hub: Boost Local Farms and New England Food Economy

Overview

CEI and Wholesome Wave collaborated on providing business development assistance and “patient capital” to Farm Fresh Rhode Island.  The financing deal allows Farm Fresh Rhode Island to nearly double its produce storage and significantly expand its Market Mobile and Veggie Box programs, which enable thousands of families to access local, fresh food from dozens of family farms across New England.

Healthy Food, Healthy Economies: The Impact of Healthy Sustainable Food Systems (Questions and Answers)

Overview

Speakers from the Healthy Food, Healthy Economies: The Impact of Healthy Sustainable Food Systems webinar address reoccurring themes during the Question and Answer period. Pat Smith explains the importance of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, Dr. Oran Hesterman discusses the Double Up Bucks food program, Jim Weill shares additional information on SNAP benefits and Helen Dombalis talks about strengthening local food systems.

Healthy Food, Healthy Economies: The Impact of Healthy Sustainable Food Systems

Overview

How does policy shape our food systems? How does adequate purchasing power for—and access to—healthy food contribute to strong local economies? This webinar explores why and how supporting efforts to improve food security and healthy, local foods can strengthen our communities. The speakers discuss how to make the case in your own community.

CDFI Fund Opens FY 2013 Funding Round for CDFI & NACA Programs

Overview

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) released Notices of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the fiscal year (FY) 2013 funding rounds of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program).

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