Financing

California FreshWorks’ network of lenders provide financing to food enterprises that increase access to affordable, healthy, culturally-appropriate food in low-income, underserved California communities. Our lenders work with enterprises across the value chain that are focused on making healthy food accessible.

Our network of lenders have over 150 years of experience providing flexible financing to high impact projects throughout the state. Our lenders are adept at considering not only the strength of an enterprise, but also the positive change the enterprise can create by increasing access to healthy food, providing quality jobs, building racial and economic equity and/or strengthening California’s food system.

For projects that are not yet ready for financing, FreshWorks offers technical assistance support to help you get financing ready.

We are not accepting applications at this time.

Types of Financing

Our lenders provide flexible capital structured to meet the needs of the client.

Loans from $50,000 to $3 million.

FreshWorks network lenders can provide financing between $50,000 and $3 million, with financing above $3 million available in certain cases. Enterprises that require financing under $50,000, should visit our microlending page. New Markets Tax Credits may be available for qualified projects.

Loans Uses

  • Real Estate Acquisition
  • Construction & Tenant Improvements
  • Facility Expansion or Upgrades
  • Working Capital
  • Inventory
  • Equipment Purchase
Sample Term Sheet
Loan Amount $50,000 to $3,000,000
Interest Rate 5.0-6.0%
Rate based on risk and use of funds.

Rate resets may apply.

Fees 2% Origination fee
Term Up to 10 years
Payment Terms and payment schedules based on project needs and loan type.
Collateral Collateral in the form of business and/or personal assets, corporate and/or personal guarantees.

FreshWorks Credit Enhancement Program

Meeting credit requirements is one of the biggest challenges for a small business or enterprise looking for financing. The FreshWorks Credit Enhancement Program provides extra credit support for promising healthy food projects, allowing our network lenders to make loans to some borrowers that might otherwise not meet credit requirements.

The FreshWorks Credit Enhancement is administered by Community Vision on the behalf of the FreshWorks lenders network. It is available on an as-needed basis, to support healthy food projects in our target geographies. To see if the FreshWorks credit enhancement can help you obtain financing, please contact us to be directed to a FreshWorks network lender that works in your area.