Food Security Infrastructure Grants! Bridge Financing Available!

First: Apply for a MA Food Security Infrastructure Grant by September 15thSecond: Apply for Bridge Financing from PVGIF or MFTP

MA Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program

Great Opportunity!

Massachusetts launched the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program to support the local food system during this challenging time.

Eligible proposals include, but are not limited to, projects seeking to: 

• Help farms, retailers, fisheries and other food system businesses adapt to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and allow them to provide greater access to local food;
• Increase capacity for food direct delivery;
• Increase capacity of food banks and food pantries;
• Increase capacity of local food distribution partners;
• Offer innovative solutions to enable those receiving SNAP and WIC benefits to receive food more easily; and,
• Offer innovative solutions for urban farming.

This grant program is accepting applications on a rolling basis until September 15th, 2020. The Request For Responses includes many examples of projects that are eligible

Grant funding will be allocated on a reimbursement basis, and the PVGrows Investment Fund and Mass Food Trust Program are offering short-term or ‘bridge’ loans to food and farm businesses to cover the upfront costs. Keep reading to learn more about options for bridge financing!

PVGrows Investment Fund: Bridge Financing

Click here to learn more about PVGIF

The PVGrows Investment Fund is offering bridge loans (short-term upfront funding) to awardees of the MA Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program who meet our mission to grow the local food system. Since the FSIG program is a reimbursable program, we have bridge financing available for awardees at zero-interest with deferred payments for the first three-months. For more information, visit the PVGrows Investment Fund. To get started, submit the PVGIF Inquiry Form. These bridge loans for the FSIG program are available for all farm and food businesses that meet the mission of PVGIF throughout the Commonwealth. We also have a streamlined process available for new HIP vendors that need to purchase new equipment.

The PVGrows Investment Fund’s mission is to strengthen the local food system through community investments. PVGIF provides the capital and business assistance that is needed to strengthen our local food system through farms, distributors, aggregators, food processors, restaurants and more. Visit PVGIF for more information or contact Rebecca Busansky with any questions.

Mass Food Trust Program: Bridge Financing

Click here to learn more about the Mass Food Trust Program

Grantees who meet the mission of the  the Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP), can qualify for a short-term bridge loan so that they can access funding to complete their infrastructure project before receiving reimbursement through the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program. The mission of the MFTP is to increase access to healthy, affordable food in low-income, underserved areas.

Since the FSIG is a reimbursable grant program, MFTP is offering short-term bridge loans at 0% interest with deferred payments for 6-12 months with regular interest rates and repayment terms thereafter.

Learn more about the Mass Food Trust Program, or contact Rebecca Busansky with any questions.