This is our third loan to the Northside Food Access Coalition (NFAC)—a resident-led organization doing vital work to improve healthy food access in Richmond, VA. NFAC’s past loans from Foodshed Capital in 2021 and 2022 were repaid in full and on time, and we’re proud to continue supporting their mission.

Founded in 2021 as an initiative of the Historic Brookland Park Collective, NFAC focuses on increasing access to fresh, local food for the 35,000 residents of Richmond’s Northside—56% of whom, according to the USDA, have low food access. Founder Willie Hilliard has been described as “a pillar of strength in our community,” known for leading civic associations, food drives, and countless efforts to uplift neighbors.

In 2022, NFAC used a previous Foodshed Capital loan to launch the Northside Farmers Market, a CSA–farmers market hybrid that sources from nine local farms. The market offers cold storage, market access, and wraparound services like health screenings, cooking demos, and SNAP enrollment. Located on public school property, it partners with Richmond Community High School to engage students in growing and selling produce—creating a space that nourishes both people and possibility.

In 2023, NFAC was awarded a Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA) from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to buy and distribute local produce. After administrative delays, the program is set to launch in summer 2025. A low-interest loan from Foodshed Capital will bridge the reimbursable funding, allowing NFAC to begin purchasing produce ahead of state reimbursements.