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Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (PA FFFI) is sponsored by The Food Trust (in partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development). The PA FFFI provides grants and technical assistance to nonprofit, for-profit, and cooperative food businesses to increase access to healthy, affordable food and improve economic opportunities in low- to moderate-income areas of Pennsylvania.
It specifically helps business owners open or expand healthy grocery outlets.
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We’re hiring seasonal farmers market staff! Home What We Do Healthy Food Financing Initiatives PA FFFI Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative The application is now open . The deadline to apply is September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Explore program materials and apply below. 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 grants and technical assistance 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. Grant awards will range from $5,000 – $200,000 . Please refer to the Request for Applications (RFA) for more details.
Check out previous grantee stories for examples of successful projects. Request for Applications – Solicitud de propuestas Program Flier – Hoja de folleto del programa Use this checklist to see if your business meets the basic eligibility criteria. If you answered yes to all of the above, you may be eligible for funding!
Fill out the form below to stay in touch and receive application information. Questions? Please email pafffi@thefoodtrust.
org . 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 . 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 new and expanding food retailers and post-harvest food retail supply chain businesses. This includes but is not limited to grocers, distributors, aggregators and wholesalers.
Check out the FARE Fund website for more information and to take an eligibility screener. Not sure whether to apply? Reach out to The Food Trust staff at communityconnector@investinginfood.
com for support!
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Nonprofit, for-profit, and cooperative food businesses in Pennsylvania that increase access to healthy, affordable food and improve economic opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents. This includes businesses opening or expanding healthy grocery outlets. Must refer to the Request for Applications (RFA) for full details. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $5,000 - $200,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Applications for Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (PA FFFI) are due September 15, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (PA FFFI) is funded by The Food Trust (in partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Pennsylvania. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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