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Photo: Stop and Compare market expands in Lynn with help of MFTP funding Massachusetts Food Trust Program Helps Grocery Markets Make Fresh Fruits and Vegetables More Accessible Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP), a partner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), is helping residents in our state’s low-income neighborhoods get fresh fruits and vegetables. “Our focus is providing access to healthy foods by financing independent food businesses in low-income neighborhoods,” said José Luis Rojas, Administrator of the MFTP and Operations Director at Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF), which co-administers the program with the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC). Stop and Compare Market in Lynn opened its second store with the support of the MFTP. Guillermo Fernández, Financial Director of Stop and Compare, said that sales have improved since their market received financing. “We obtained two loans, one to remodel the Lynn store and increase our healthy food options, and the other to open the second store,” he said. “What differentiates us from most supermarkets is local ownership and our extensive fresh fruit, vegetable, and meat departments,” Fernández said. Vicente’s Tropical Supermarket in Brockton, also benefited from the MFTP. Through MFTP Vicente’s renovated their supermarket, and expanded their produce, meat, and dairy sections. “Access to fresh foods affects us all–through public health, economic development, and equity,” Rojas said. “Without a healthy diet, productivity at work goes down and children can’t focus in school. One recent study showed another meaningful gap: the average life expectancy between those living in the South End, a wealthy neighborhood of Boston, and people in Roxbury, a low-income neighborhood, is 23 years,” he said. Access to healthy food is certainly part of this.
“The Mass Food Trust Program helps supermarkets in low-income neighborhoods put up shelves, renovate their space, and sell more healthy foods.” Our state has allocated $4 million to encourage healthy eating in neighborhoods to eliminate "food deserts,” low-income communities where it’s difficult to get fresh food. “Massachusetts cities and rural towns have food deserts,” Rojas noted. “People often have to take several buses or a taxi to go grocery shopping. The closest option there might be a corner store, which rarely has the fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat necessary to eat well, but it will have plenty of junk food.” MFTP provides small food businesses with credit ($15,000 to $300,000) or grants of up to $25,000. A business may qualify for MFTP if it: Serves an area that lacks access to healthy foods Provides healthy and affordable food Accepts SNAP and WIC Offers culturally relevant food to the community
Do you, or someone you know, own a food business or want to start one, that may qualify? Apply now! www.massfoodtrustprogram.org
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