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National Spotlight
HFFI Takes Center Stage at Farm Bill Hearings
In March, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, opened the third hearing on the 2012 farm bill by outlining the need to explore local food initiatives and healthy food access and emphasized the role of local foods in job development. Chairwoman Stabenow specifically lifted up the importance and contributions that the national Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) can bring in increasing access to healthy and affordable food and offering jobs and neighborhood revitalization. HFFI provides one-time loans and grant financing to grocery stores and fresh food retailers to underserved urban, suburban, and rural areas to renovate or expand existing stores. For more information on HFFI, click here.>>
Efforts in the Field
First Lady Recognizes New Hampshire
On a March visit to Concord, New Hampshire, First Lady Michelle Obama acknowledged New Hampshire HEAL (NH HEAL), a regional convergence partnership, as a national leader in combating childhood obesity by building partnerships with funders, policymakers, advocates, and community leaders to foster healthy people in healthy places. NH HEAL is a statewide effort whose mission is to work with state and community partners across the state to promote changes in neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and child and health care settings that improve health for all. Congratulations to our friends and colleagues at NH HEAL! For more information on New Hampshire HEAL, click here.>>