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2024 VIRGINIA FOOD ACCESS INVESTMENT FUND GRANTS

The Virginia Food Access Investment Fund (VFAIF) is a statewide program created in 2020 by the General Assembly (see code) that seeks to support local food systems by investing in projects that improve retail access to fresh foods in low-income areas with poor access to these foods. The VFAIF Program awards grants of up to $50,000 for the construction, rehabilitation, equipment upgrades, or expansion of grocery stores, small food retailers, or innovative food retail projects in underserved communities. VFAIF-funded projects must have a retail component, accept federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and participate in the Virginia Fresh Match nutrition incentives program.

Goals of the program include:

  • increasing fresh food access in underserved communities.
  • creating wealth and leadership opportunities in these communities.
  • supporting sustainable, community-owned businesses.
  • fostering innovative solutions that improve food access.
  • developing and sharing successful food business models.
  • reducing food insecurity by strengthening local food systems; and
  • improving health outcomes in low-income, low-access communities.

VIRGINIA FOOD ACCESS INVESTMENT FUND (LARGE SCALE RETAIL) GRANTS

Virginia Food Access Investment Fund (VFAIF) program that will extend grant opportunities to large-scale retailers that are committed to equitable food access in the Commonwealth. Administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), the VFAIF program supports local food systems by investing in new or expanding food retailers that address food access issues in Virginia. in underserved communities. The VFAIF (Large-Scale Retailer) program is a unique grant opportunity that is focused on low-income and low-access communities. Specifically, VFAIF and EFOD are focused on low-income, low-access communities which have been disproportionately affected by unequal investment and growth, including a lack of access to capital.

Grant Documents

Webinars and Presentations

VDACS and Locus are hosting a VFAIS Pre-proposal Q & A meeting. Join us via Zoom to ask any questions that you may have.

What: VFAIF Pre-Proposal Q&A
Date: Monday, December 23rd, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. (EST)

Join Zoom Meeting

  • Meeting ID: 891 3844 1105
  • Passcode: 267041

Participants who need to dial-in can find your local number on Zoom. The Meeting ID and Passcode, provided above, are required.

Resources

Local Produce Aggregators:

Contact
Keisha Williams, Grant Specialist
804.786.2776
keisha.williams@vdacs.virginia.gov

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