Feeding Madison’s Future: The Healthy Retail Access Program Promotes Food Access and Equity in Local Businesses

The Healthy Retail Access Program is one of the many resources available to local business owners through the Office of Business Resources in Madison. This program offers funding to businesses that aim to increase access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food. The City of Madison’s Economic Development Division is showcasing this program during National Small Business Week, highlighting its importance in improving food access for residents.

The program has had a significant impact on Bombay Bazaar, a grocer on S. Gammon Road that offers a variety of food items from India and Southeast Asia. Last year, Bombay Bazaar received over $98,000 in funding from the Healthy Retail Access Program. This year, the City of Madison has allocated $250,000 for Healthy Retail Access Program projects in its 2024 Operating Budget. These projects include capital and infrastructure grants to promote healthy food access, technical assistance for organizations working towards this goal, data collection initiatives to gather feedback from business owners and residents for targeted program outreach, and program evaluation.

If you are a retailer or organization striving to improve food access in Madison, you are encouraged to apply for funding through the Healthy Retail Access Program. More information about the program and eligibility criteria can be found on the City’s Healthy Retail Access Program page.