PeliCAN Grant Program

The PeliCAN Grant Program, which stands for Community Access to Nutrition, is a locally administered initiative led by Healthy St. Pete, a division of the City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department. The program is designed to address disparities in economic opportunity and access to healthy food within designated Healthy Food Priority Areas across the city. These areas, identified using USDA Food Access Research Atlas data, are characterized by limited access to fresh, nutritious foods, transportation challenges, and higher rates of poverty. As described in the Healthy Food Action Plan, these communities often lack nearby grocery stores and instead rely on convenience stores or emergency food programs, which may not provide adequate nutritional options. The primary purpose of the PeliCAN Grant Program is to improve both physical and economic access to fresh fruits and vegetables by supporting the development of mobile food retail businesses. Through this approach, the program seeks to increase the number of SNAP-accessible food distribution points while simultaneously fostering entrepreneurship within underserved communities. The initiative is structured to create long-term systems change by addressing social determinants of health, including diet-related diseases and economic instability, through community-based solutions. Funding provided through the program includes starting capital and a stipend, along with extensive non-monetary support such as technical training and mentorship. Selected participants will develop and operate mobile fresh produce businesses known as Fresh Start Mobile Markets. These businesses are intended to operate within Healthy Food Priority Areas, delivering affordable and nutritious food directly to residents. While exact funding amounts are not specified, the inclusion of capital, stipends, and in-kind services indicates a comprehensive support model rather than a simple one-time grant award. Eligibility for the program is limited to residents of St. Petersburg who demonstrate an interest in improving food access and community health within their neighborhoods. The program emphasizes individual applicants rather than organizations, with a focus on cultivating local leaders who can build sustainable, community-centered enterprises. Applicants are expected to engage in training and mentorship activities and to actively participate in the development and operation of their mobile markets. The application process is straightforward, requiring eligible individuals to submit an application during the open period. For the current cycle, applications are open through May 31, 2026. While specific application components are not detailed, the process is positioned as accessible, aligning with the program’s goal of engaging community members who may not have prior experience with grant funding or business development. The program is supported through a network of local partners that provide critical services to participants. These include financial services and literacy support from a local credit union, business planning and mentorship from a small business development organization, and access to commissary storage and operational space through local partners. Additionally, the program is funded in part through a collaborative grant initiative involving regional health-focused organizations, reinforcing its alignment with broader public health goals. Overall, the PeliCAN Grant Program represents a targeted, place-based intervention aimed at improving food access and economic opportunity in underserved areas of St. Petersburg. By combining financial support, training, and partnerships, the program seeks to empower residents to become agents of change within their communities while addressing systemic inequities in food access and health outcomes.