Up to 20 projects will receive support to increase access to healthy food
SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) is pleased to announce fiscal year 2023 funding for a new grant-based pilot program, the Healthy Food Financing Fund (HFFF).
In FY 2023, HFFF will award $400,000 in competitive grants, between $20,000 and $100,000 each, to a range of food enterprises across the state of New Mexico.
The HFFF will be open for applications on Tuesday, April 11. EDD will be host an informational webinar at 11 am, Friday, April 14. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, April 25.
HFFF is an integral part of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Food Initiative designed to strengthen the local food supply chain capacity and increase market opportunities for New Mexico farmers and agricultural producers, manufacturers, and food enterprises.
This program and fund will directly support the capacity of small- and mid-scale food and agricultural enterprises in our state’s food supply chain to grow, raise, process, aggregate, transport, and distribute local, culturally preferred foods to meet current and increasing demand.
HFFF supports the intersection of economic development in New Mexico’s food/agricultural industry with increased food security for New Mexicans and prioritizes projects demonstrating a focus on underserved communities.
The fund will:
- Stimulate investments for food and agricultural operations owned by and/or serving individuals who are from historically marginalized communities including communities of color, Tribal communities, under-served areas with low- and moderate-income populations, rural communities, urban food deserts, and businesses owned by Veterans, women, and socially disadvantaged individuals.
- Address financing obstacles and operating barriers for food aggregation/ distribution operations, grocery stores and other healthy food retail in lower income communities.
The application portal is open until the end of the day on April 25, with determination announced the week of May 5.
For more information on HFFF program eligibility and to register for the webinar, please visit our website at https://edd.newmexico.gov/hfff.