Council hears success metrics and expansion plan for Healthy Foods Small Market program; $355,000 reallocation proposed

Brandon Sohr, identified in the record as the city's chief growth officer, explained that $355,000 remained from a $500,000 allocation for a planned Erie Street Market food-hall contract that fell through when the original vendor withdrew. “That was an agreement that we had with ECDI, which was gonna create a food hall… Due to federal funding changes, that project is no longer viable,” Sohr said.

Stephanie Baltiz of the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department described results from a 2023 pilot that supported six neighborhood stores with refrigeration, inventory, marketing, technical assistance and nutrition education. “The pilot produced measurable changes in both food availability and purchasing behavior,” Baltiz said, citing Phoenix’s SNAP produce sales increase from $322 to $835 monthly (a 159% rise) and noting more than 2,000 healthy-food purchases documented across restocking trips. Baltiz said the proposed $355,000 would onboard six additional stores (three in 2027, three in 2028), continue technical assistance for existing partners, and explore tiered supports for higher-performing stores.

Councilmembers sought details on eligibility, typical grant awards (Baltiz said average FFE awards are about $19,000), program timelines through Dec. 31, 2026 for existing contracts, and requested a district map and store list by referral before final action. The administration asked for first reading; council recorded it.