Grant St

ATLANTA FACES A GROWING CHALLENGE OF FOOD INSECURITY, WITH TOO MANY FAMILIES LACKING CONSISTENT ACCESS TO FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD. AT THE SAME TIME, SMALL AND MID-SIZED FARMERS IN THE REGION STRUGGLE TO COMPETE IN A FOOD SYSTEM DOMINATED BY LARGE DISTRIBUTORS. THIS DISCONNECT HARMS BOTH COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL AGRICULTURE: FAMILIES MISS OUT ON NUTRITIOUS MEALS, AND FARMERS LOSE OUT ON VITAL INCOME. STRENGTHENING THE LINK BETWEEN LOCAL FARMS AND COMMUNITY FOOD ACCESS IS NOT JUST AN AGRICULTURAL ISSUE--IT IS CENTRAL TO BUILDING A HEALTHIER ECONOMY, REDUCING WASTE, AND CREATING MORE RESILIENT NEIGHBORHOODS.THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM BY EXPANDING A PROVEN MODEL OF AGGREGATED POP-UP MARKETS THAT BRING LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE HEALTHY FOOD IS SCARCE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE PROJECT PROVIDES TRAINING, MENTORSHIP, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FARMERS AND FOOD ENTREPRENEURS SO THEY CAN STRENGTHEN THEIR BUSINESSES AND REACH MORE CUSTOMERS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS COOKING CLASSES, SCHOOL-BASED NUTRITION LESSONS, AND RECIPE DEMONSTRATIONS WILL HELP FAMILIES MAKE THE MOST OF FRESH PRODUCE WHILE ENCOURAGING HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES.BY CONNECTING FARMS AND COMMUNITIES IN THIS WAY, THE PROJECT AIMS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES WITH ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD, REDUCE WASTE FROM UNSOLD FARM PRODUCE, AND BOOST THE ECONOMIC STABILITY OF LOCAL FARMERS. THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT WILL BE A STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM THAT IMPROVES HEALTH, CREATES JOBS, AND HELPS ENSURE THAT ATLANTA COMMUNITIES--PARTICULARLY THOSE MOST AFFECTED BY FOOD INSECURITY--HAVE THE NOURISHMENT THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

AWARDTYPE: GUARANTEED/INSURED LOANS ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: TO PROVIDE GUARANTEED LOANS FROM LENDERS TO ELIGIBLE FOR PROFIT SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN FINANCING IN THE PRIVATE CREDIT MARKETPLACE BUT CAN DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO REPAY LOANS IF GRANTED, IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE SBA GUARANTEES 7(A) PROGRAM LOANS THROUGH VARIOUS LOAN PROCESSING METHODS INCLUDING: (1) STANDARD 7(A) LOANS; (2) 7(A) SMALL LOANS; (3) SBAEXPRESS LOANS; (4) CAPLINE LOANS; (5) THE QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE TRUSTS (ESOP); (6) EXPORT EXPRESS; (7)EXPORT WORKING CAPITAL PROGRAM (EWCP); (8) INTERNATIONAL TRADE, AND (9) PILOT (TEMPORARY) PROGRAMS. DELIVERABLES: LOAN GUARANTEES EXPECTED OUTCOMES: TO PROVIDE GUARANTEED LOANS FROM LENDERS TO ELIGIBLE FOR PROFIT SMALL BUSINESSES AND, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE TRUSTS (ESOPS). INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: SMALL BUSINESSES SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NA

AWARDTYPE: GUARANTEED/INSURED LOANS ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: TO PROVIDE GUARANTEED LOANS FROM LENDERS TO ELIGIBLE FOR PROFIT SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN FINANCING IN THE PRIVATE CREDIT MARKETPLACE BUT CAN DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO REPAY LOANS IF GRANTED, IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE SBA GUARANTEES 7(A) PROGRAM LOANS THROUGH VARIOUS LOAN PROCESSING METHODS INCLUDING: (1) STANDARD 7(A) LOANS; (2) 7(A) SMALL LOANS; (3) SBAEXPRESS LOANS; (4) CAPLINE LOANS; (5) THE QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE TRUSTS (ESOP); (6) EXPORT EXPRESS; (7)EXPORT WORKING CAPITAL PROGRAM (EWCP); (8) INTERNATIONAL TRADE, AND (9) PILOT (TEMPORARY) PROGRAMS. DELIVERABLES: LOAN GUARANTEES EXPECTED OUTCOMES: TO PROVIDE GUARANTEED LOANS FROM LENDERS TO ELIGIBLE FOR PROFIT SMALL BUSINESSES AND, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE TRUSTS (ESOPS). INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: SMALL BUSINESSES SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NA

AWARDTYPE: DIRECT PAYMENT FOR SPECIFIED USE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: CONTINUE BUSINESS DELIVERABLES: ECONOMIC RELIEF TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS IMPACTED BY COVID-19. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: PROVIDE ECONOMIC RELIEF TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS OF ANY SIZE THAT EXPERIENCED A TEMPORARY LOSS OF REVENUE DUE TO COVID 19. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NA