Mayor Michelle Wu rolls out a $1 million grant program designed to catapult the city's small food business into a post-COVID era of prosperity. The newly announced Re-FRESH program, short for Revitalization of Food Restaurants and Establishments to Stabilize Holistically, is on a mission to dish out financial support alongside a hefty serving of business direction.
This financial lifeline, drawn from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is targeting the small-spun tapestries of Boston's food landscape—those intimate eateries, corner bars, and roving food trucks that feed not just the stomach but the soul of local communities. In a statement City of Boston’s website, Mayor Wu remarked, “Every investment in our small businesses helps build strong communities throughout our city.”
In an all-hands-on-deck approach, eligible businesses—which include those employing 25 or fewer individuals and earning no more than $2 million in annual revenue—will have access to grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000. Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune underscored the importance of the initiative in a statement, “Our local restaurants play a pivotal role in shaping vibrant neighborhoods and we have a duty to find creative and intentional ways to support the recovery and growth of Boston's diverse culinary landscape, uniting communities, and aiding businesses in creating sustainable business models.”
James Raza, co-owner of Democracy Brewing, expressed gratitude for the city's support in a statement to the City of Boston’s website.“We are still recovering from the devastation that the pandemic had on the food and beverage industry, and any funding support offered by the City of Boston is tremendously appreciated.”
Information sessions are slated to take place virtually with a mandatory registration, detailed on the city's program page. If you're a foodpreneur in Boston, note these dates: Monday, December 4, 2023, at 4:00 pm, or Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 10:00 am.
