La. Admin. Code tit. 7 § III-907

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section III-907 - Eligibility of Applicant

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.

La. Admin. Code tit. 7, § III-907

Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Agriculture and Finance Authority, LR 48297 (2/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:296.