PA FFFI – The Food Trust

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Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative

A statewide public-private financing program administered by The Food Trust, PA FFFI helps business owners open or expand healthy grocery outlets in communities throughout the commonwealth.

Overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the PA FFFI is administered by The Food Trust 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 help increase access to healthy, affordable food and improve economic opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents of urban, suburban and rural areas of Pennsylvania. Most projects qualify for up to $50,000 in funding, and high-impact projects can qualify for up to $150,000.

The application process is currently closed; check out previous grantee stories, or come back soon for additional information will be shared in conjunction with the next round of funding.

Looking for another grant opportunity?

Reinvestment Fund, a partner of The Food Trust on the PA FFFI, is administering the HFFI Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund! Funded by USDA, FARE Fund provides grants, loans, and technical assistance to businesses along the food retail supply chain. This includes but is not limited to grocers, distributors, aggregators and wholesalers. Check out their website for more information on the fund and to check your eligibility.

Interested in submitting a funding inquiry? Reach out to The Food Trust staff at communityconnector@investinginfood.com!

Please be aware that two separate programs share the name Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative. The Food Trust’s PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative (PA FFFI) is a distinct program, separate from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative.

This page is for The Food Trust’s PA FFFI.

The Food Trust’s PA FFFI: Originally launched in 2004 and recapitalized in 2018 by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), this program focuses on enhancing healthy food access and promoting economic development by providing grants and loans to food retailers in communities across Pennsylvania. To learn more about The Food Trust and our Healthy Food Financing Initiatives, please explore this website.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative: Initially funded during the COVID-19 pandemic and relaunched in 2024 with a $4 million investment, this program aims to strengthen local food systems and increase market opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers. It provides grants to businesses working to expand access to fresh food across the state. For details, visit their website here.

While both initiatives share similar goals, they are independently managed and have distinct eligibility criteria, application processes, funding sources, and deadlines. If you have any questions or need assistance determining which program suits your needs, please contact us at pafffi@thefoodtrust.org.