Virginia Food stuff Accessibility Expense Fund apps now open to supply grants from $5K to $50K

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam introduced that the application period for the inaugural Virginia Foods Obtain Financial investment Fund (VFAIF) is now open up right until April 30.

VFAIF will deliver grants concerning $5,000 to $50,000 to help company growth, building, rehabilitation, machines updates, or expansion of grocery outlets, modest meals suppliers, or impressive foods retail initiatives that boost food accessibility in underserved communities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue of food stuff insecurity, and traditionally marginalized groups are bearing a disproportionate load,” mentioned Governor Northam. “This fund will support our ongoing operate to improve neighborhood food stuff devices by encouraging expense in food items deserts and raising entry to inexpensive, healthy food stuff the place it is needed most, which in transform will help promote regional economies and boost the overall health of our communities.”

In 2020, Governor Northam signed House Invoice 1509 and Senate Invoice 1073 which created the Virginia Food stuff Obtain Investment Application and Fund.

According to officers, about 1.7 million Virginians—including 480,000 children—live in small-income areas with restricted access to healthier meals.

Virginia has employed stimulus resources to give $219 million for the Pandemic EBT application via the Office of Social Services, $85 million for baby nutrition applications, $7 million to aid foodstuff banking institutions, and $1.4 million to present meals packing containers to Virginia people by means of the “We Care” initiative.

“Studies clearly show that persons residing in communities without having a supermarket often go through from disproportionately substantial costs of obesity, diabetic issues and other diet plan-connected well being troubles,” mentioned Senator Jennifer McClellan. “The Virginia Meals Accessibility Expense Fund can assistance ideal this mistaken. Not only does the Virginia Foodstuff Obtain Financial investment Fund help place the Commonwealth as a chief in reducing food disparities, it also helps to construct community property, satisfaction, and energy by and with historically marginalized communities.”

The VFAIF application can be accessed via the here.