The Cooperative Fund of New England (CFNE) is using HFFI financing to increase healthy food access in New England and eastern New York State through the Healthy Food/Cooperative Communities initiative, which combines financing, development services, technical assistance, and data collection and measurement to increase low-income consumers’ utilization and membership in co-ops. This work led five food co-ops in the past year to start implementing new programs to better serve low-income communities. For example, HFFI financing supported the start-up capital expenses of the Fertile Underground Grocery Food Cooperative in Providence, Rhode Island. You can find more information here.

Source of money: HFFI CDFI-Financial Assistance Program

Note: The Cooperative Fund of New England is a CDFI headquartered in Massachusetts that is working throughout New England and eastern New York State.