For Immediate Release Contact: Scot Slay
March 15, 2011 Office: (601) 944-4175
E-mail: [email protected]
HOPE Launches Program to Expand Fresh Food Access in New Orleans
Underserved Neighborhoods Benefit in Many Ways
New Orleans, LA—HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation/Hope Credit Union) announced today the launch of the New Orleans Fresh Food Retailer Initiative (FFRI), a program that will award $14 million worth of forgivable and low-interest loans to supermarkets and grocery stores that are located in or plan to locate in underserved areas of Orleans Parish. The FFRI program will enable vendors to open, renovate, or expand retail outlets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables in those areas of the City where access to fresh foods has been lacking, particularly for low-income residents.
The investment is expected to expand access to healthy food at affordable prices, provide quality employment opportunities and serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. New or existing stores funded through the FFRI program will dedicate significant shelf space to fresh produce and promote product placement, marketing and outreach to low-income areas.
”While this initiative directly addresses the fact that too many New Orleans residents do not have access to the fresh, nutritious foods they need to live healthy lives, it improves outcomes in a number of other areas as well,” said HOPE CEO Bill Bynum. “Communities will be able to reap all the economic development benefits that come along with a local grocery store: the creation of steady jobs at decent wages and serving as a catalyst for complementary retail stores and services nearby.”
In a post-Katrina survey conducted by Tulane University, nearly 60% of low-income residents surveyed reported that they must drive more than 3 miles to reach a supermarket, but only about half (58%) owned a car. A 2010 study by Social Compact showed only 30 full-service grocers had reopened in the city, revealing substantial unmet demand in the market.
“For too long, our citizens have lacked access to fresh, healthy foods,” said New Orleans Mayor Landrieu. “I am excited to finally make this program a reality, particularly for the quality of life in underserved neighborhoods, and to foster healthier lifestyle habits for all of our citizens.”
By launching the Fresh Food Retailer Initiative, the City is providing $7,000,000 in Disaster-Community Development Block Grant funds, which will be matched 1:1 by HOPE. The Food Trust, a national non-profit organization with a track record for administering innovative approaches to expanding access to fresh foods in Pennsylvania and New York will also be part of the program delivery team.
“The Food Trust is thrilled to partner with the City of New Orleans and HOPE to bring more grocery stores and fresh food to New Orleans,” said Yael Lehmann, Executive Director of The Food Trust. “Every child should live in a neighborhood where fresh, healthy food is available and affordable.”
Who Can Apply?
Forgivable and interest-bearing loans are available to supermarkets or retail grocery outlets committed to expanding the healthy food offerings in low- or moderate- income, underserved neighborhoods. An underserved neighborhood is defined as an area of below average supermarket density or grocery sales.
Applicants must plan to either:
- open a self-service supermarket or other grocery retail outlet primarily selling fresh produce, seafood, meat, dairy and other groceries;
- renovate and substantially improve a store’s ability to stock and sell a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables;
- or, develop a real estate project that will lease space to a grocery retail tenant.
For an application and more information, please visit our page on the New Orleans Fresh Food Retailers Initiative. You can also contact HOPE at (504) 585-2860 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .”>[email protected] .
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Download the press release.