The City of Milwaukee has announced a new round of grant funding for 2021 focusing on healthy food access in communities. The Fresh Food Access Fund (FFAF) provides financial support to activities that increase fresh food access and healthy food choices in underserved communities that have been further impacted due to the pandemic.

The City of Milwaukee seek proposals from organizations who have or plan to implement programs in the city of Milwaukee to enhance the access to fresh healthy food in communities. 

FFAF Goals

• Financially support activities that increase the access of underserved communities to healthy food choices
• Partner with community organizations, businesses, and other government entities with a fresh food component 
• Address the issues identified in the Milwaukee Fresh Food Access Report
  • Focus on particular areas of concern identified as food deserts 

Grant Types & Amount

• Capital grant (project may include associated educational components)
  • Minimum grant: $10,000 (Project budget must be at least $20,000 to qualify)
  • Maximum grant: $50,000 (Project budget must be at least $100,000 to qualify)
• Education program grant
  • Minimum grant: $1,000 (Project budget must be at least $2,000 to qualify)
  • Maximum grant: $5,000 (Project budget must be at least $10,000 to qualify)

Eligible projects

The FFAF provides matching grants to projects that advance one or more of the following strategies:

• Attract grocery stores and mobile market stops to underserved neighborhoods
• Develop other retail outlets in underserved neighborhoods as sources of fresh foods
• Increase the stock of fresh foods in corner stores
• Increase the amount of locally grown food that is available to Milwaukee consumers
• Meet the fresh food needs of populations with special dietary requirements
• Improve transportation to grocery stores and farmer’s markets for individuals who live in underserved areas
• Improve nutrition and food preparation education

License Activities

• If City and/or State licenses are required to operate a proposed project, no grant payment will be made until the applicant presents evidence that required licenses have been issued.
• Licensed businesses that are not in good standing with the City of Milwaukee are ineligible to receive a grant.
• Businesses that hold or have applied for licenses to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, liquor, fermented malt beverages or wine are not eligible to apply for an FFAF grant.

Eligibility Criteria

• FFAF is available to for-profit and not-for-profit businesses aligned with the goal of the fund.

For more information, visit City of Milwaukee.