Learn more about successful projects and research studies advancing healthy food access in the community:
Federal Policy Efforts (State-specific)
Omaha Economic Development Corporation
Omaha Economic Development Corporation is using HFFI financing to create the Fair Deal Plaza, a business hub that offers a space for small business owners and artisans to collaborate and develop marketing platforms. This project will provide low-cost retail and commercial space for businesses. The Fair Deal Plaza will provide inexpensive space and marketing assistance to new and emerging locally owned firms to help them become sustainable businesses; moreover, the Fair Deal Plaza will also provide needed gallery and tenant space for at least two emerging artists, artisans, or creative sector businesses. The Fair Deal Plaza will create an intentional space that unifies the community’s cultural heritage with opportunities for new traditions to be developed in cultural expression and economic synergy. This project will create approximately 37 new jobs. You can find more information here.
Source of money: HFFI CDFI-Financial Assistance Program
Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation
Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation will use HFFI funds, with leveraged funds that MLCDC has secured for the project, to complete improvements in the Mixed Use Real Estate project, Las Americas Global Market, being developed in partnership with Community Investment Opportunities (CIO). As a result, a total of 46 new jobs will be created at an average cost of $17,391/job. You can find more information here.
Source of money: HFFI CED Program
State & Local Policy Efforts
Policy Efforts to Watch: Nebraska Healthy Food Financing Initiative Act
In the 2012 session of the Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska State Senator Brenda Council introduced the Nebraska Healthy Food Financing Initiative Act, which would set aside $300,000 in the state budget for small loans, grants, and interest rate assistance on loans made through other financial institutions. The bill would provide funding to establish new farmers’ markets and community gardens, develop cooperative grocery stores, establish new grocery stores, and refurbish existing grocery stores to better meet the needs of the community in terms of providing fresh, healthy food. While the Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the bill and the legislation was supported by farmers and public health groups alike, the bill did not make it to the governor’s desk for signature. This bill was reintroduced by Senator Matt Hansen in January 2016 as LB945, requesting $150,000 annually for two years, and is currently indefinitely postponed. For the most up to date information on this bill, click here.
For a full understanding of Healthy Food Financing Initiatives from advocacy to implementation, see The Food Trust’s Healthy Food Financing Handbook.