El Paso County has opened the door for applications to its Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), a grant and loan program aimed at improving access to healthy, affordable food. According to El Paso County in a social media post, HFFI is prepared to extend up to $150,000 in grants and offer low-interest loans via PeopleFund. Designed to lift food deserts and support healthier communities, the county is accepting submissions until September 30.
The initiative is open to local and national grocery entities, including individual grocery retail outlets. The funding is earmarked for a range of development activities, from pre-development to construction and equipment procurement. El Paso County is making an assertive push to ensure healthier food reaches the tables of its underserved communities. This comes amidst growing concern over food insecurity, which, despite vast agricultural progress, remains a stark reality for many Americans.
Interested parties are encouraged to dive into the criteria and processes detailed on El Paso County’s Facebook page, where the program is fleshed out further. Applications can be submitted via the El Paso County Facebook page, which also includes a valuable webinar from UTHealth Houston for additional guidance.
