The Colorado Fresh Food Financing Fund (CO4F) is a statewide loan and grant fund created to support businesses and other community initiatives that improve convenient access to affordable, healthy, and culturally relevant food. The program is intended to offer flexible financing that is not available from commercial lenders. CO4F projects are evaluated based on their ability to provide a positive community impact and address structural inequities.
PARTNERS
CO4F Program Funds Deployed
CHFA is proud to announce the funds for the Colorado Fresh Food Financing Fund (CO4F) program have been fully deployed. Since 2013, the CO4F program has successfully supported businesses and other community initiatives that strengthened convenient access to affordable, healthy, and culturally relevant food in collaboration with community partners. CHFA is proud to have been a part of this effort and congratulates all partners who are helping advance the program as it transitions to its next iteration.
CO4F has supported food hubs, mobile food pantries, grocery and meal delivery projects, and a range of other multifaceted community food access initiatives. In CO4F-supported projects across the state, 89 percent of shoppers say they now have better access to fresh food. The program’s impact includes:
$13.37 million in funding has been or is in the process of being disbursed, supporting 34 grocery and food access projects, and impacting more than 38 communities across the state.
In addition, more than 20 projects were referred to the Colorado Enterprise Fund for funding.
The program was able to meet diverse financing needs, with 73 percent of funds being in the form of loans and 27 percent distributed through grants.
Fifty percent of projects funded were located in urban or suburban areas, and 50 percent in rural regions.
CHFA would like to thank program affiliates, P.U.M.A. and Colorado Enterprise Fund, for their long-standing partnership and passionate support of the program. In addition, much appreciation and acknowledgement is given to the Colorado Health Foundation, the PITON Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and the Colorado Trust for their generous investments.
Additional Funding Opportunities
For those seeking financing or grant support for fresh food projects, you may wish to consider contacting Colorado Enterprise Fund, a longtime CO4F partner, to learn more about their Healthy Food Initiative.
stay tuned
There will be a new program announcement coming soon. CHFA looks forward to continuing to serve Coloradans by providing access to fresh, affordable food through the support of local businesses and communities.
