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K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
785-532-5820
extadmin@ksu.edu

March 4, 2025

New Grants Available to Expand Healthy Food Access

Submitted by Erica Blair

The Kansas Healthy Food Initiative (KHFI) has a new funding opportunity for organizations and businesses that are planning projects to expand healthy food access at retail outlets.

The KHFI Predevelopment Technical Assistance Program is geared toward projects that are still in early concept or predevelopment stages and are not yet ready for full implementation. Project activities could include market or feasibility research, architectural design assistance or site planning, community assessments and engagement, business planning, legal counsel, and more.

This funding is available for brand new enterprises or existing businesses looking to expand. The deadline to apply is Sunday, April 27. For more details, visit https://kansashealthyfood.org/programdetails/assistance/index.html.

About the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative

The Kansas Healthy Food Initiative (KHFI) is a public-private partnership that aims to increase access to affordable, healthy food to improve the health and economic development of Kansans and their communities.

KHFI provides technical assistance for those seeking to strengthen access to healthy foods, as well as financing through a mix of loans and grants to develop new, expand, or renovate healthy food retail in under-served and low-resource communities throughout Kansas. The program works to bridge informational and financing gaps faced by healthy food stakeholders and food retailers operating in low- to moderate-income areas.

Seeded by the Kansas Health Foundation, the initiative is a partnership among the Rural Grocery Initiative (part of K-State Research and Extension), NetWork Kansas, and IFF (a community development financial institution), with strategic guidance provided by The Food Trust.

As of December 2024, KHFI has funded 74 projects in 45 counties totaling $5,179,162 in loans and grants.

To learn more about KHFI, visit https://kansashealthyfood.org/.