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Local Lending

AUSTIN, Texas Along with stocking products on store shelves, some retailers are helping local vendors with loans and funding. Whole Foods Market runs the Local Producer Loan Program for small vendors. Loans range from $1,000 to $100,000 and can be used for projects like purchasing more animals, investing in new equipment or converting to organic production. The program includes reduced fees, interest

AUSTIN, Texas — Along with stocking products on store shelves, some retailers are helping local vendors with loans and funding.

Whole Foods Market runs the Local Producer Loan Program for small vendors. Loans range from $1,000 to $100,000 and can be used for projects like purchasing more animals, investing in new equipment or converting to organic production.

The program includes reduced fees, interest rates and paperwork “that can often get in the way of a small local farm or business taking the next step to expand its operations,” according to Whole Foods.

All recipients are identified on an interactive map at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

One is Blumetti's Gourmet Foods, Dallas, a provider of specialty gourmet pasta sauces. The company used the loan proceeds to roll out three new sauces to be sold at Whole Foods.

Retailers are helping in other ways. Hannaford participates in “Keep Local Farms,” an initiative that raises funds for local dairy farmers.

Along with distributing promotional materials in its stores, Hannaford ran a promotion earlier this year in which shoppers could donate $2 or $5 at the checkout.