Donor Name: Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED)
State: District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 07/27/2022
Grant Size: $7,387,538
Details:
The purpose of the Food Access Fund (FAF) Grant is to increase equitable access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food by securing grocery stores, and restaurants; support existing small businesses; attract new businesses; increase the District’s tax base; create new job opportunities for District residents; and transform designated emerging commercial corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers.
Funding Priorities
The FY22 FAF Grant identified the following program funding priorities.
- To improve access to food options for residents of areas that currently have low access by encouraging existing food-related businesses to expand their operations to a new location in areas with low food access (as set forth in the Act), with priority given to locations.
- To expand the local food ecosystem and support fresh food retailers and providers through grants.
Funding Information
DMPED will award up to a maximum of $7,387,538 in grants to successful grantees under this program.
Eligibility Criteria
For the purpose of the Request for Applications, Eligible Applicants will be defined as one of the following:
- Existing food-related businesses with at least two (2) years of revenue generating operations, which are expanding to a new location in an area with low food access (as set forth in the Act), with priority given. Food-related businesses shall include, but not be limited to:
- Full-service grocery stores;
- Restaurants, including new concept brands of existing restaurant businesses, prioritizing those with a dine-in component;
- Taverns;
- Neighborhood-based eligible food operators;
- Local Business Enterprise (LBE) eligible food operators; and Food Halls.
- Property owners, on behalf of food-related business tenants
- The property owners of the project must demonstrate a commitment to support the sustainability of local business tenancy by providing specific amenities and/or inducements, which may include rent concessions or abatements.
- The tenants must be identified and/or secured through letters of intent evidenced by executed lease agreements or executed commitments to lease.
- Preference will be given to property owners who commit to securing locally minority-owned or women-owned food-related businesses.
For more information, visit Food Access Fund Grant Program.