Brown and Evans Introduce Legislation to Re-Authorize Healthy Food Financing Initiative

Washington DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), Vice Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, has filed legislation (H.R. 3506) to re-authorize the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI). The legislation was co-led by Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-03). 

HFFI is a public-private partnership providing loans, grants, and technical assistance to improve access to fresh, healthy food in urban and rural underserved communities. HFFI assistance programs are administered through the Department of Agriculture and the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI).   

In 2025, the historic West Side Market in Cleveland, Ohio announced HFFI funding was included in its $28 million investment package for the Market’s transformation project. 

“Every family, no matter their zip code, should be able to put fresh, healthy food on the table,” said Congresswoman Brown. “HFFI has enjoyed bipartisan support because it benefits urban and rural communities, farmers and consumers. From supporting the revitalization of Cleveland’s West Side Market to giving farmers and entrepreneurs new opportunities, HFFI is about more than just food – it is about health, equity, and economic growth. As we shape the next Farm Bill, I’m proud to partner with Congressman Evans to champion HFFI, an initiative with a proven track record of improving food access and investing in underserved neighborhoods.”

“I was proud to play a leading role as a state legislator in creating the Pennsylvania program that became the model for the national Healthy Food Financing Initiative, and I appreciate Congresswoman Brown’s partnership on keeping HFFI in place to bring healthy food to underserved urban and rural communities across the country,” said Congressman Evans. “I continue to believe that food is medicine, and that every American should have access to affordable, healthy food. It’s one of the best tools in the preventive health-care toolbox!”

According to the USDA, to date HFFI has awarded over $25 million in funding through the HFFI Targeted Small Grants Program and an additional $40 million was awarded in grants to 16 public-private partnerships through the HFFI Local and Regional Healthy Food Financing Partnerships Program.

In addition to the authorizing language, Rep. Brown leads the annual appropriations request letters for HFFI. Earlier this month, Rep. Brown led two letters to House appropriators requesting robust funding for HFFI in FY 2026. These letters were co-led by Rep. Evans. 

For more information on HFFI, click here. 

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