RDP allocated $15 million of New Markets Tax Credits to fund the construction and build-out of a 65,000 square foot facility in Waco, Texas, situated on just over 11 acres of land in McLennan County. This location, which would serve the 9 northern counties of CTFB’s 21 county region, solves logistical, programmatic service and accessibility challenges for the northern region by placing a facility where it is needed most. The investment expands CTFB’s fresh food distribution capacity across the project’s nine county predominate service area (5 rural), by 4.5MM meals (from 30MM meals to 34.6MM, a 15% increase). The project expects to provide 2.7MM pounds of nutrious food to rural households, which translates to 2.2MM meals to low-income, food insecure rural individuals – equating to 4,549 low-income, food insecure rural individuals a year (based on FAHM’s 42 meals per person per month benchmark). Additionally, CTFB works with over 41 rural distribution networks including mobile pantries, schools, churches, and more – the Project supports CTFB’s efforts to continue growing distribution partnerships in these areas.