Fresh Food Financing Initiative

The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (PA FFFI) is a statewide public-private financing program administered by The Food Trust. It is designed to help business owners open or expand healthy grocery outlets in communities throughout Pennsylvania. The program is overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and implemented in partnership with Pennsylvania-based community development financial institutions (CDFIs). The program provides one-time grants and loans to nonprofit, for-profit, and cooperative food businesses that increase access to healthy, affordable food and improve economic opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents in urban, suburban, and rural areas of Pennsylvania. Most projects qualify for up to $50,000 in funding, while high-impact projects can qualify for up to $150,000. Currently, the application process for the PA FFFI is closed. Potential applicants are encouraged to review previous grantee stories and to monitor the program's website for information about the next round of funding. No specific open date for the next round has been provided. In the meantime, businesses seeking similar opportunities may consider the HFFI Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund, administered by Reinvestment Fund, a partner of The Food Trust. The FARE Fund is funded by USDA and offers grants, loans, and technical assistance to businesses along the food retail supply chain. It is important to note that two separate programs share the name Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative. The Food Trust’s PA FFFI, which is the focus of this opportunity, was originally launched in 2004 and recapitalized in 2018 by the DCED. It aims to enhance healthy food access and promote economic development by supporting food retailers across the state. In contrast, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative, funded during the COVID-19 pandemic and relaunched in 2024 with a $4 million investment, targets strengthening local food systems and increasing market opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers. These two initiatives have distinct eligibility criteria, application processes, funding sources, and deadlines. For inquiries regarding The Food Trust’s PA FFFI, potential applicants can contact the team via email at pafffi@thefoodtrust.org or reach out by phone at 215-575-0444. The Food Trust is headquartered at One Penn Center, Suite 900, 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103.