This study assessed whether proximity to a supermarket modified the effects of an obesity intervention for participating children aged 6 to 12 years with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile. Authors found that living closer to a supermarket is associated with greater improvements in fruit and vegetable intake and weight status in an obesity intervention. 

In 2013, Virginia Community Capital (VCC) launched the Virginia Fresh Food Loan Fund to enhance access to nutritious foods in Virginia’s inner cities, small towns, and rural communities. As a community development financial institution (CDFI), VCC supports small businesses and community development projects by offering flexible capital, investment opportunities, and advisory services.

This report is volume 3 of USDA’s food hub technical report series and provides modules, best practices, and financial benchmarks for different stages of business development for food hubs to assess their own financial viability and assist in making strategic business decisions to maximize profits and control costs.

• Seed money, including funds for planning and administration, is important for a successful launch. 
• To date, the majority of HFFI dollars have gone to support already established business owners. 
• Many healthy food projects are not equipped to take on debt. Grants or forgivable loans are needed in order to produce additional healthy food outlets, especially in areas that, from a business standpoint, would be considered unprofitable. 
• Flexible sources of capital are critical for maximum deployment of funds, and project requirements should not be overly restrictive. 
• HFFI-funded projects have helped to create jobs, expand healthy food retail, and eliminate food deserts. In some neighborhoods, these projects also spurred additional community revitalization. (4) 
• There are several cases of HFFI loan recipients partnering with other organizations, including community clinics, medical schools, and fitness facilities, to improve resident health. According to managers of HFFI funds, retail outlets need to be rooted in the community in order to be successful. To that end, business owners can play an important role in supporting population health improvement goals. 

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and Wilder Research conducted a mixed-methods study to provide information to those interested in improving Minnesota's food retail environment.

The Latino community in Portland, Oregon, has grown rapidly in the last 20 years, from 3.3 percent of Portlanders to 11 percent, and by 2040 it is estimated that 23 percent of the city’s residents will be Latino. This growth, however, has not been accompanied by increases in opportunity.

Recognizing the important link between access to healthy food, economic opportunity, community building, and culture, Hacienda Community Development Center (CDC) secured a federal Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) grant in 2012 to develop Portland Mercado, an innovative project which includes a Latino cultural space and public market, bringing fresh food and good jobs to the community.

This session presented information about the CED and CED-HFFI grant competition, based on the CED and CED-HFFI funding opportunity announcements (FOAs). It outlined the programs’ purposes and strategies, provided tips and tools for submitting an application for CED or CED-HFFI funding, and identified key application criteria and requirements.

This session provided prospective CED applicants with an overview of the CED program, including the program’s mission and objectives, organizations eligible to apply, the program’s target population, and examples of successful CED projects. The webinar also provided a summary of funding requirements and estimated award amounts.