Businesses offering healthy food options can sign up for incentives from El Paso County

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County leaders are trying to make healthier food more accessible to residents in the county.

They announced a new healthy food financing initiative Tuesday.

Commissioner David Stout said there is about a mile radius around El Paso where eating healthy is not an option.

El Paso County and UTEP's Paso del Norte Institute for Healthy Living teamed up to get the application process started for businesses that provide healthy eating in areas where it's needed.

A combination of $1 million in funding, grants and low interest loans are available for those looking to apply.

He said 12 to 15 percent of the El Paso population is without reliable access to affordable and nutritious food.

The healthy food financing initiative, or HFFI, is the first program of its kind in the nation.

The initiative also aims at increasing jobs in the community and encourages healthy lifestyle habits, added Stout.

"This is a great opportunity for this community ... to change the mentality and change health care outcomes," he said.

He said adding more money to this initiative is in the works.

Business owners can apply for a grant atwww.epcounty.com.