Launched in 2011 in partnership with Hope Credit Union in response to the lack of fresh, healthy foods in many New Orleans neighborhoods, The Fresh Food Retailer Initiative (FFRI) is a $14 million citywide program to encourage supermarket and grocery store development in low-income, underserved communities. By providing low-cost financing for capital, real estate and related expenses, FFRI aims to enable operators to open, renovate, or expand retail outlets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables. The program is credited with spurring the development of several new grocery stores, including Jack and Jake’s, which opened in 2014 in a former central city school building, creating 33 new full-time jobs and 35 part-time jobs.
coordinates:
POINT (-90.0715323 29.9510658)