The Basics
The America's Healthy Food Financing Initiative Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (HFFI FARE Fund) helps food retailers and food enterprises through grants, loans, and technical assistance to bring fresh, healthy food to underserved communities.
HFFI is a national program run by Reinvestment Fund, on behalf of USDA Rural Development.
If you're a food retailer or in the food supply chain, you might be eligible for funding. (Unfortunately, HFFI cannot support charitable projects, restaurants, production of consumer-packaged goods, or institutional distribution).
Your project should help get more staple and perishable foods, like fruits, veggies, meat, dairy, and grains, into underserved communities. It should also help strengthen the food supply chain, improve healthy food access, create good jobs, and support low-income communities.
Food retail businesses will need to accept SNAP or have a plan to accept SNAP once operating. If you're selling directly to customers, your store or market stops must be in underserved areas (check for location eligibility here). If you're in the supply chain, like a wholesaler or distributor, your business doesn’t have to be in an eligible location, but the stores that you serve must be in eligible locations and accept SNAP.
The strongest applications clearly explain how the funding will increase healthy food options, support underserved areas, and describe eligible uses of the specific type of funding being requested.
Deadlines for the HFFI FARE Fund can be found in the Request for Applications (RFA) found on www.investinginfood.com. The next RFA will be released in early 2026.
Eligibility criteria can be found in the Request for Applications (RFA) found on www.investinginfood.com. There are two steps to applying for HFFI Fare Fund funding:
In the first step, you will submit a short form called a Funding Inquiry. Based on that, Reinvestment Fund will determine if your project meets the basic eligibility requirements—that it’s a food retail or food supply chain project, serving an eligible, underserved area, and expands access to an assortment of staple and perishable foods. If it is determined to be eligible, you’ll be invited to submit a full application.
If invited, the second step is the submission of a full application. Submitted applications are reviewed and competitively scored by external reviewers. Applications may also earn priority points for serving very low-income areas, supporting local food, being near public transit, or being a women or BIPOC owed or controlled business.
The FARE Fund website has many resources for applicants. Start with the RFA, which explains all funding details and specifications. Guides, templates, and FAQs are also available to support budget planning, impact measurement, and eligibility alignment .
Reinvestment Fund also hosts webinars that walk through the RFA, explains common mistakes, and provides helpful tips (Recordings are available).
The Grocer Solutions Center’s team of industry experts who help with business planning, feasibility studies, and financial modeling. Contact Us
Yes, many states offer additional funding through state-specific HFFI programs. View a list of states that offer this funding.
The Grocer Solutions Center is here to help guide you every step of the way, whether you’re considering a potential project or want to confirm eligibility.
We’re here to answer general questions as well as those related to eligibility, project design, and application strategy. We can review applications for clarity and strength before submission.
We also offer specialized technical assistance in areas including:
- Governmental Food and Nutrition Programs (SNAP, SNAP Online, Nutrition Incentives)
- Grocery Technology (POS systems, inventory management, eCommerce)
- Strategic & Business Planning / Coaching
- Community Outreach and Engagement
- Legal Counseling
- Rural Food Systems