Question 1

Who is eligible?

Accepted Answer

Eligible projects include the business development, construction, rehabilitation, equipment upgrades, or expansion of:

Grocery stores that primarily sell meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, dry groceries, household products, sundries, and healthy food options
Innovative food retail projects such as mobile markets or delivery models, including food trucks
Small food retailers, such as small-scale stores, neighborhood stores, small groceries, farmers’ markets, or corner stores
Small, limited resource or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; small, limited resource or socially disadvantaged farm co-ops, community gardens, restaurants or cafes with a direct food retail component or in partnership with a qualified food retailer, food hub, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and/or farm stand

Projects must meet the following requirements to be considered for funding:

Be located in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Have a retail component where consumers can purchase fresh meats, seafood, dairy, produce, and/or healthy food options
Directly serve residents within low-income, low-access communities
Demonstrate a history of community engagement, work in the community, and community support for the project
Accept SNAP benefits and offer Virginia Fresh Match incentives
Purchase a minimum of 25% of fresh products from Virginia’s small, beginning, limited resource, Veteran, and/or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers

Question 2

When do applications close?

Accepted Answer

December 16, 2022

Question 3

When do applications open?

Accepted Answer

November 1, 2022

Virginia Food Access Investment Fund Grants (VFAIF)