Invest in Healthy Foods for Low-Income Communities

Low-income communities of color and low-income rural areas are most affected by limited access to healthy food. Studies have consistently shown that there are fewer supermarkets and other retail outlets selling affordable, nutritious food in low-income communities than in wealthier ones. One nationwide study found that low-income zip codes have 25% fewer chain supermarkets than middle-income zip codes. The problem goes beyond health; poor communities are cut off from the economic development opportunities that arise from a local grocery store including the creation of jobs, the attraction of other small businesses, and the support of surrounding residential real estate values.

Calvert Foundation is proud to be a partner in the California FreshWorks Fund (CAFWF), a public-private partnership loan fund launched July 20th by Michelle Obama to increase access to healthy food in underserved communities and spur economic development that supports healthy communities. The $200 million fund provides financing for grocery stores and other forms of healthy food retail and distribution by providing flexible capital to eligible applicants. This fund is modeled after the successful Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative and was developed to align with the National Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)

For as little as $20, you can invest online through our partner, Microplace.

Your investment will fund:

Access to Healthier Food

In California, adults in neighborhoods with low access to healthy food options are 20% more likely to be obese than those with high access to healthy foods. Each year in California, obesity causes thousands of deaths and costs families, employers, the healthcare industry, and government more than $6 billion.

New Jobs

More than 24 new jobs are created on average for every 10,000 square feet of retail grocery space. Typical grocery stores range in size from 20,000 to 50,000 square feet.

Improved Property Values

An assessment of a similar initiative in Philadelphia found that home values increased by 4 to 7 percent in neighborhoods with new grocery stores. Grocery stores also typically serve as anchors to other commercial development.

Increased Tax Revenue

Increased retail activity, employment, and property value leads to increased sales, income and property tax revenue, helping relieve pressures on state and local budgets.

Invest today!
Read about the initiative in the Los Angeles Times
Read the Press Release
Meet the partners in this FreshWorks video

For more information, please email us at healthyfood@calvertfoundation.org.