Limon Stop & Shop is the only grocery store in Limon, Colorado with the exception of Dollar General. The closest neighboring store, which is much smaller, is 15 miles away, and it's a 50 - 80 mile drive to a big box store like Kroger or Walmart.
This business is a critical piece of finding healthy food in this rural town on the Eastern Plains. About a third of Limon Stop & Shop's transactions are to customers paying with SNAP EBT, and five percent are to customers paying with WIC.
This year, thanks to the Community Food Access Tax Credit, the Stop & Shop was able to replace a 23 year old produce cooler that was failing to maintain temperatures. The new unit is not only more energy efficient, but is also 67 percent larger, giving customers 66 more linear feet of produce selection to shop.
Limon Stop & Shop received more than $33,000 in tax credits for this equipment purchase.
Up to $10 million annually, until 2030, is available in Community Food Access Tax Credits for small food retailers and small family farms.
A business can receive a refundable income tax credit equal to 75 percent of the amount spent on costly equipment, which is used to increase access to or lower prices for healthy food in low income, low access and underserved areas of the state.
To learn more about the program or apply, please visit the Community Food Access Tax Credit page.