COLUMBUS — Finance Fund Capital Corporation (FCAP) launched the Healthy and balanced Meals for Ohio (HFFO) program, a public-private partnership that will certainly support the development of grocery stores and others fresh Meals retail in low-income underserved communities throughout Ohio.
The program provides financing for costs associated along with land acquisition, predevelopment, construction, equipment, infrastructure, and related expenses as well as credit calls for not commonly filled by conventional financial institutions.
FCAP was picked through a competitive bid process by the Ohio Department of Task and Family Services (ODJFS) to administer state seed capital allocated by the State of Ohio in the FY2016-FY2017 Biennial budget (H.B. 64).
At a Statehouse HFFO launch event Monday, Congressman Steve Stivers said, “The partners here today have actually gained the connections between Healthy and balanced Meals and Healthy and balanced families, and exactly how to produce economically sound, community-driven, sustainable business solutions to Meals access issues.
“I am proud that Ohio is taking a leadership role in this national effort. It will certainly produce jobs and give much more access to Healthy and balanced foods, boosting the lives of individuals in my district and across Ohio.”
Rep. Ryan Smith additionally spoke at the event, “For too long, Ohioans living in disadvantaged communities have actually strained to put Healthy and balanced Meals on the table. The Centers for Health problem Regulate and Prevention report that inadequate nourishment from a diet regimen higher in fat and salt can easily result in life-threatening conditions such as higher blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke,” he said.
“By making the Healthy and balanced Meals Financing Initiative in the state budget and providing first seed funding for supermarket development in underserved areas, Ohio has actually taken an vital step toward a much better quality of life for its citizens,” he added.
“HFFO will certainly recommendations get rid of funding gaps and barriers faced by grocers and others Healthy and balanced Meals retailers,” said FCAP President and CEO Diana Turoff. “Through this model, the HFFO program aims to raise access to affordable, fresh Meals in underserved areas, enhance the diets of Ohio residents, and spur economic development and revitalization.”
Applicants for funding will certainly be evaluated and approved on a rolling basis while funds stay available. FCAP will certainly job along with The Meals Trust, a national Meals access organization, to review each application and identify whether each proposed project meets program targets and is financially viable.
A pre-application will certainly be used to identify whether the applicant aligns along with HFFO’s targets by serving a low-to moderate-income, underserved community and meeting additional eligibility criteria including community support. Once a project’s programmatic eligibility is determined, the applicant will certainly receive a letter disclosing its eligibility status and, where appropriate, an invitation to apply for financing.
Healthy Meals retail projects will certainly be identified through collaborative efforts among neighborhood residents, local businesses, community based organizations and various government agencies.
Eligible applicants need to have actually community support and operate in low- to moderate-income census tracts that have actually reasonable levels of access to a supermarket or Healthy and balanced affordable food. Retailers can easily include grocery chains, specific grocery stores, neighborhood stores, coops and others Meals projects such as farmers markets and Meals hubs.
“From the Ohio River to Lake Erie, we understand that Ohio can easily make wonderful strides in boosting the Healthiness of every one of residents – especially those living in poverty – by expanding access to healthy, affordable foods,” said ODJFS Director Cynthia Dungey.
“The Healthy and balanced Meals for Ohio program brings with each other partners from state government, the Ohio Grocers Association as well as a statewide Healthy and balanced Meals Financing Task Force of leaders in public health, economic development, business, and the civic and nonprofit sectors which helped identify the demand and created insight to support Healthy and balanced Meals retail development in underserved areas,” she continued.
“The Ohio Grocers Association has actually worked diligently along with FCAP, The Meals Trust and the Task Force over the past two years to secure first seed funding from the state. We are excited to start this crucial program and encourage our members to apply for HFFO funding to recommendations enhance access to Healthy and balanced meals in underserved communities,” said OGA President and CEO Kristin Mullins. FCAP presented HFFO program guidelines and pre-application components to OGA members at a divide launch event Monday.
To learn more, or discover out if a project is eligible for funding, go to www.financefund.org and click on “Healthy and balanced Meals Provider.”
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