Craving Local Food? From field to market, the Farm Food Initiative delivers

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1 Craving Local Food? From field to market, the Farm Food Initiative delivers

2 THE CHALLENGE Cultivate Viable Local Food Systems Viable food systems strengthen families and communities, by providing food that is locally grown or processed, affordable for consumers, and profitable for producers. In recent years, New Hampshire has seen an increased demand for locally sourced food and a desire to know where the food comes from and how it is produced. Yet, there remains a wide gap between consumers desire for fresh, locally sourced, food and the ability of the state s farmers, food producers and grocers to provide it. These businesses face significant obstacles, including the need for information about markets, distribution, financial management, land access, and financing options, tailored to their specific needs. We view these challenges as an opportunity. -9% The average New Hampshire farm suffered a 9% decline in sales between 2007 and USDA, 2012 Census of Agriculture. -$2.3K The average New Hampshire farm loses $2,300 a year. USDA, 2012 Census of Agriculture.

3 THE SOLUTION Introducing the Farm Food Initiative Since 1984, the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund has brought opportunity in the form of flexible financing and customized training to underserved sectors. The Farm Food Initiative applies our strengths to the food sector, by providing flexible capital throughout the food system, from farm to processor to grocer, including from private co-investors. Equally essential for these businesses are the comprehensive assessment and customized advice we bring, including a diverse network of professionals across sectors and outside traditional silos. THE VISION An abundance of diverse and thriving food businesses. Farmers have access to productive land and markets. Food producers use locally sourced fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats. Consumers, restaurants, and markets easily find healthy, locally produced, foods. Agricultural lands continue to reflect the state s rural character and cultural heritage. 19 BUSINESSES 28 LOANS + = $9.4M LOANED Farm Food Initiative, June 2012 to June 2016

4 THE RESULT Increased Sales, Profits, Jobs Building and sustaining local food systems requires profitable farms and fisheries, food producers, and processors. Profit sustains businesses, and enables them to reinvest to become more resilient, create better jobs, and recycle money through our local economies. The Farm Food Initiative s flexible capital and customized business education have been a winning combination for its portfolio companies, which range from rural vegetable farms to an urban ethnic market. Of the 19 businesses in the Farm Food Initiative: 100% 86% INCREASED SALES ($10 million) INCREASED NET PROFITS ($1.9 million in latest fiscal year) 85% ADDED FULL-TIME JOBS (100 full- and part-time jobs created)

5 THE SCOPE Serving Food Businesses from Field to Market 1 Farm Land costs and high debt ratios are barriers to farmers who want to grow their operations. We deliver flexible financing and customized business education to get them over these hurdles. 2 Value-Added Producer Food producers looking to make value-added products often need equipment, etc., but lack collateral. We take into account the overall strength and coachability of the owner/management team when analyzing whether to make loans. 3 Food Processor Beverage and food processors need working capital to flatten cyclical sales and grasp growth opportunities. Our industry knowledge and close working relationships foster creative business and financing solutions. 4 Retailer When retailers need more space to meet consumer demand, we collaborate with other lending partners to create solutions that enable them to expand into their potential.

6 ABIGAIL S BAKERY Increased profits from new distribution, online sales. BROOKFORD FARM Restored fertility to sod field to restart displaced family farm. BEN S SUGAR SHACK Localized maple sap food chain, improving profits. TEMPLE WILTON COMMUNITY FARM Joined with 22 CSA members to secure land for farm. SAIGON ASIAN MARKET Ethnic food market reopens in new, larger space. POLLY S PANCAKE PARLOR Fourth-generation restauranteurs create four-season jobs. MOONLIGHT MEADERY Built regional sales channel to strengthen bottom line. PROSPECT FARM Aligned products with market demand to increase viability. THROWBACK BREWERY Women-owned brewery expanded and opened farm restaurant.

7 HOW YOU CAN HELP The Farm Food Fund The Farm Food Fund attracts gifts and investments that enable the Community Loan Fund to deliver the loans and customized education that farms, fisheries and food producers need to grow INVEST IN THE SHARED- RISK FARM FOOD FUND Your investment in the Farm Food Fund earns a fixed-rate return of up to 2% over five to 10 years, and is backed by the Community Loan Fund and its 33-year spotless repayment record. INVEST DIRECTLY IN A LOCAL FARM OR FOOD BUSINESS Get the experience and benefit of direct lending by co-investing with the Community Loan Fund in a specific farm or food business. The risk and return are variable and directly tied to that company s performance. DONATE TO PERMANENT FUND This option deepens the pool of Farm Food Fund capital that will be loaned to food companies many times over. Your tax-deductible charitable gift also attracts other investments, which allow us to provide flexible loans to meet our borrowers needs DONATE TO BUSINESS EDUCATION Gifts to the Farm Food Fund assist businesses in all stages. Your charitable donation can help a company create an advisory board, analyze its growth readiness, or receive customized financial modeling. Donations also help build a network of experts and offer cost-sharing grants to hire them. REFER BUSINESSES TO US Do you know a farm, fishery or food-producing business that needs financing to continue growing? Do you know someone who wants to put some money toward building their local food system? Let them know about us or send them to our Web site:

8 Opportunity. For all. The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund believes in neighbors helping neighbors, in collaborative problem-solving, and in extending the reach of conventional lenders and public institutions. Our lending supports economic opportunity, affordable housing, and community facilities, and enables traditionally underserved people to participate more fully in New Hampshire s economy. Most of the dollars we lend have been invested in the Community Loan Fund by people and institutions that want to put their money to work in New Hampshire. We pay fixed-rate interest on these investments, based on their term (number of years) and the investor s preference. Donations help us in two ways. Donors can put their money either toward the education and the technical expertise that stoke our borrowers success, or to deepen our pool of lending capital. Community Loan Fund 7 Wall Street, Concord, NH (603) communityloanfund.org