U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development Bob Morgan announced today that USDA is partnering with Reinvestment Fund to invest $150,000 through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Planning Grant Program, which provides grants to organizations for healthy food retail or food retail supply chain projects in early-stage planning and predevelopment phases.
The Keystone Development Center will use the investment to expand membership and community engagement for Aliquippa Food Co-op, a community-owned grocery store. The funding will help the center continue to provide the co-op with education and organizing support, which it has provided for the last two years.
“Many low-income communities in Pennsylvania lack adequate, access to healthy food,” State Director Morgan said. “USDA is proud to partner with Reinvestment Fund to ensure that these funds and resources reach the communities where they are needed most, so people can find nutritious food options anywhere they live.”
This announcement is part of USDA’s comprehensive set of efforts, bolstered by funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, to create more and better markets that benefit both producers and American consumers.
HFFI is designed to support new and expanded markets for a diversity of growers while helping people across the nation access affordable, healthy foods.
You can read the national announcement that was also made today on our website here.
Previous HFFI awards in Pennsylvania can be viewed here.