Lettuce grower uses low-interest loan

A greenhouse lettuce grower in North Carolina is the latest recipient of Whole Foods Market’s low-interest Local Producer Loan Program. Loan recipients include 22 small-scale food producers and growers in 12 states.

3L Farms in Durham, N.C., in operation since 2002, has been providing greenhouse lettuce to Whole Foods and is looking to build a greenhouse to expand production to include tomatoes.

The loan program is meant to strengthen the company’s partnership with independent and small-scale local growers and food artisans. Whole Foods has committed $10 million annually to these loans, which must be used for expansion. Loan amounts are between $1,000-$100,000 with interest rates currently between 5 and 9 percent.

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For more: Whole Foods Market, (512) 542-0895; www.wholefoodsmarket.com.