Fair Food Network’s Fair Food Fund provides financing and business assistance to good food enterprises that are growing vibrant local food systems. We finance innovative businesses that are supporting resilient working farms and strong local food economies in the Northeastern United States. Lending is bolstered with business assistance including an annual business boot camp and one-on-one consulting. 

Fair Food Consulting Corps

The Consulting Corps program provides one-on-one, targeted assistance to good food entrepreneurs. Engaging a network of consultants and local partners, consulting services include business planning, financial management, food-safety compliance, marketing and sales, operations management, and more.

Here’s how it works 

• Selected applicants are paired with a Fair Food approved consultant that helps entrepreneurs on a designated and agreed-upon project. While we have a pool of consultants, we are open to applicant recommendations.

• The Fund covers up to 80% of total project cost or up to $10,000 per project. Entrepreneurs contribute a portion of the cost of consulting services received. From time to time, participants are also asked to advise other emerging food system entrepreneurs following the completion of their project. 

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received.

Eligibility

We’re looking for enterprises that meet the following general criteria:

• Committed to building vibrant regional food systems in the Northeastern United States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont)

• Incorporated in the U.S.

• Strong consideration is given to enterprises that provide processing, marketing, local/regional food distribution, or information technology platforms that link farms with consumers and/or wholesale customers. 
• Preference given to applicants planning to seek financing in the next 6-12 months.