HOPE Partners with City of Baton Rouge, La. for Healthy Food Retail Initiative

City of Baton Rouge, La. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome on November 19 announced a major milestone in her effort to bring a healthy food retail store to North Baton Rouge. The initiative not only addresses access to nutritional food for an underserved area, but it also addresses the continued investment and revitalization of the area. 

“When I campaigned for this office, I promised to focus on food deserts throughout our community. Today, I’m proud to announce my Healthy Food Retail Initiative,” said Mayor Broome, who was joined at the news conference by Hope Enterprise Corporation/Hope Credit Union CEO Bill Bynum. “This effort has been talked about for years, and today, we are moving forward.”

HOPE is a vital partner in the effort as a full-time commercial loan officer will be dedicated to identifying a grocer and offering a financial incentive package to help them locate a retail space in the area.

Mayor Broome’s Healthy Food Retail Initiative utilizes the Federal Community Development Block Grant funding, in partnership with Mayor Broome’s Geaux Get Healthy Initiative. Through this capital, innovative business loans will be offered through Hope Enterprise Corporation structured to assist businesses in locating into food desert areas.

Other partners in the initiative include, The Food Trust, Baton Rouge North Economic Development District, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, East Baton Rouge Metro Council, Build Baton Rouge, and Healthy Baton Rouge.

Learn more about the program: https://hopecu.org/community-development/healthy-food-financing/baton-rouge-healthy-food-retail-initiative/