PA FFFI - Application

Application

Please submit by November 15th, 2024
From the application deadline to funding, there is a 4- to 6-month process. Please visit the Application Process & Timeline page of our website for more details on what to expect.

Please review our Eligibility Guidelines to determine whether your project may be eligible.

For any questions, please email pafffi@thefoodtrust.org or call 215-575-0444, ext. 154.
Screener
Are you a healthy food retailer? Healthy food retailers are grocery stores, farmers markets, healthy corner stores, etc. Emergency food providers and restaurants are not eligible for funding.*

YesNo
Does your business or project provide access to affordable, healthy food to low-to-moderate income communities?*

YesNo
Does your project accept SNAP/EBT?*

YesNoNo, but we have applied or are planning to apply for SNAP/EBT
Can you demonstrate strong community support for your project?*

YesNo
Applicant Information
Name:*
Title/Relation to Business:*
Email Address*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Preferred method of contact*

EmailPhone
Secondary Contacts:
How did you hear about the program?*

The Food Trust WebsiteThe Food Trust StaffThe Food Trust NewsletterSocial MediaOther RetailerBusiness AdvisorCommunity Development Financial InstitutionCommunity Development CorporationOther
Please state which Food Trust staff member let you know about the program.*
Please state which retailer let you know about the program.*
Please state which CDFI let you know about the program.*
Please state which CDC let you know about the program.*
Please state which business advisor let you know about the program.*
Business Information
Legal Business Name*
Legal Business Owner*
Project Name/DBA (if different from above)*
Tax ID Number/EIN
Business Mailing Address*
City*
Zip*
County*
State*
Type of Entity:*

For ProfitNon ProfitCooperativeOther
Type of Ownership:*

Independently OwnedPrivately OwnedPublicly OwnedCorporately OwnedOther
Annual Gross Revenue in 2023:*
Annual Net Profit/Loss in 2023:*
Formation of Business (date)*

MonthDayYear
Date
Type of Business/Project*

SupermarketGrocery Store/MarketCorner Store/BodegaFood CoopFood Hub/DistributionFarmers MarketFarm/GreenhouseMobile Market/CSAOther
Does the owner or person in substantial control identify as any of the following? Applications are encouraged from underrepresented business owners, including:

Person of colorWomanLGBTQIA+VeteranDisabledImmigrantOther
Project Information
Retail Site Address (if different from business mailing address):
If serving multiple locations (i.e. mobile market sites, supermarket chains), please list the addresses below:
Project site control status at time of application*

LeaseOwnershipNegotiating LeaseNegotiating OwnershipOther
Estimated Project Start Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Estimated Project End Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Current Number of Part-time Employees*
Current Number of Full-time Employees*
Expected # of Additional Part-time Employees (if applicable)
Expected # of Additional Full-time Employees (if applicable)
Total approximate number of employees from the local community (upon project completion)*
Employee Hourly Rate (range or average acceptable)*
Existing Retail Square Feet*
If proposing to expand, how many additional square feet will be added?
Estimated % of produce department sales after project completion*
Please describe your sources of fresh produce (e.g. name of distributor, details on growers, producers, etc.)*
Are you enrolled in Pennsylvania’s PA Preferred Program?*

YesNo
Describe any efforts to source locally grown or value-added products:*
Does your business accept (if neither, please specify your plans to pursue authorization):*

SNAP/EBTWICNeitherOther
What were your total SNAP sales for the last full month?*
What were your total gross sales for the last full month?*
Short Answers

(3-5 sentences)
Describe how you will use awarded funds and how they will benefit your long-term business plan. Please list all proposed expenses. *
Does a Low- to- Moderate-Income Community shop at your retail location? If so, please describe how your business meets their needs (ie. pricing models, product selection, marketing, outreach efforts, mission statement).*
Describe existing food retail options in your community. (Are options limited? What are the barriers in accessing healthy food in your community? What is missing?) What role does your business play in your community?*
Describe your or your team's management experience in food retailing and produce handling.*
References: Please provide the contact information for up to three community members or organizations that can speak about your business or the community that you serve. Please include name, relationship, and email address.*
Optional: Please explain if and how your business promotes supplier diversity or increases business opportunities for minority business enterprises.
These include: Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, LGBT Business Enterprises, and Disability-Owned Business Enterprises.
Optional: Is the business accessible by public transportation? Please explain.
Optional: Describe the accessibility to the business pursuant to the ADA (if applicable)
Financial Request Information

*Note: Awarded financing packages may include loans, grants, and/or business assistance on a case-by-case basis to appropriately meet the needs of each project. Loan requests will be referred to a PA FFFI partner Community Development Financial Institution. Each eligible loan application will be underwritten and assessed for financial viability.
Funding Use (select all that apply)*

Opening a new businessExpansion of an operating businessInfrastructure upgrades (i.e. renovation, equipment, etc.)PredevelopmentBusiness/Technical AssistanceOther
If interested in using awarded funds for business assistance, please select the type of assistance you would like to receive (select all that apply):

Financial ManagementMarketing/Graphic DesignBusiness Strategy/PlanningConstruction ManagementOther
Financing Request Type: You may select more than one option.*

LoanGrant
Total Loan Request ($)
Total Grant Request ($)*
Total Project Cost ($)*
Are you currently working with a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)?*

YesNo
If yes, which CDFI are you working with?

Reinvestment FundCommunity First FundBridgeway CapitalOther

Please describe all other sources of funds that will be used for this project. If you have a pro forma financial statement or a capital stack list available, please attach it to your application. If you need additional space, please provide any extra funding sources in a separate document.*

	Name of Provider	Type:(Loan/Grant/Equity/Subsidy/Other)	Amount	Use of Funds:	Status:(Committed or Requested)
PA FFFI Grant and Loan (must match request above)
Owner Equity
CDFI
Bank
Other

Additional Documents

Optional
Applicant Narrative: History of applicant business, management list and qualifications (food market operations and/or real estate development experience). Include resumes for key management if available at this time, as well as a list of all owners and their respective % of ownership.

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Project Description: Provide a detailed description of the project, including: current condition, scope of work, fresh food offerings (current/proposed), explanation of project costs, and need for funding. Please provide photos or renderings of project (or other currently operating stores).

Cancelof
Community Support: Provide a short narrative, articles, maps, community letters, or other documentation to demonstrate the community's need and support for the project. Please describe how this store will meet the community's needs by offering affordable, fresh foods

Cancelof
Business Plan

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Application

Screener

Applicant Information

Business Information

Project Information

Short Answers

Financial Request Information

Additional Documents

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