Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. An applicant
for a loan through the HFRP may have a for-profit or non-profit status,
including but not limited to a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited
liability company, corporation, cooperative, nonprofit organization or
nonprofit community development entity. An applicant may also be a national
chain, regional grocery chain, singular retail outlet or smaller neighborhood
food store. All potential applicants must be in good standing with the
Louisiana Secretary of State.
B. In
order to be eligible to participate in the HFRP, the applicant must demonstrate
all of the following:
1. the project for which
the applicant seeks funding shall benefit an underserved community;
2. the applicant shall demonstrate a
meaningful commitment to sell fresh fruits and vegetables; and
3. generally, the applicant shall accept Food
Stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) benefits.
a. If an applicant is unable to accept Food
Stamps or WIC benefits, an alternative may be provided by LDAF to demonstrate a
meaningful commitment to make healthy food affordable to low-income
households.
C. Applicants for the HFRP shall be evaluated
based on the following criteria to determine if funding will be awarded:
1. the applicant demonstrated the capacity to
successfully implement the project, including the applicant's relevant
experience, and the likelihood that the project will be economically
self-sustaining;
2. the ability of
the applicant to repay debt;
3. the
degree to which the project requires an investment of public funding to move
forward, create impact, or be competitive, as well as the level of need in the
area to be served;
a. Additional factors that
will improve or preserve retail access for low-income residents, such as
proximity to public transit lines, also may be taken into account.
4. the degree to which the project
will promote sales of fresh produce, particularly Louisiana-grown fruits and
vegetables;
5. the degree to which
the project will have a positive economic impact on the underserved community,
including creating or retaining jobs for local residents; and
6. any other criteria LAFA determines to be
consistent with the purposes of this Chapter/Part.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
3:296.
