Town of Winthrop Shares Opportunities for Food Retailers That Increase Access to Healthy Food

WINTHROP — Interim Town Manager Terence Delehanty and would like to share opportunities offered by the Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP) to support food retailers that increase access to fresh, healthy and affordable food for low- and moderate-income families.

In an effort to fill gaps in the availability of healthy and affordable food in many parts of the state, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts provided funding to create the MFTP.

The MFTP provides low-cost loans of up to $300,000 and small grants of up to $25,000, as well as business assistance, to aid grocery stores, corner stores, food CO-OPs, ethnic markets, farmers markets, farm stands and other food retailers to purchase property, renovate facilities, buy new equipment and plan for growth. 

The organization has worked with over 30 food retailers in the past three years, increasing access to healthy, local food for an estimated 211,000 people.

Business owners who believe their venture might be eligible for assistance from MFTP can click here to take a four-question online survey regarding eligibility. 

Those interested in applying for assistance can do so by clicking here.

“The difficulty many families have with conveniently accessing fresh, healthy food in urban areas is a challenge that directly impacts both children and adults through no fault of their own,” said Interim Town Manager Delehanty. “I encourage business owners to consider the the opportunities the MFTP provides as we all seek to ensure that children and families can always access healthy, affordable food.”

To learn more about the MFTP, click here.

To contact the MFTP with questions, email: communityoutreach@leaffund.org.