Food banks, soup kitchens, and other nonprofit organizations across Pennsylvania are receiving a funding boost aimed at keeping food out of landfills and on the tables of people who need it most.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced it has awarded $4,125,923 through its Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant (FRIG) Program, providing funding to nonprofits that recover and redistribute surplus food. The grants will help reimburse the cost of equipment needed to safely store, transport, and prepare recovered food, including refrigerators, freezers, stoves, and both refrigerated and non-refrigerated vehicles.
Locally, the following received funding:
Each organization was eligible to receive up to $50,000 under the program, which is designed to strengthen local food recovery efforts while addressing the state’s growing food waste problem.
“This program focuses on diverting food from landfills to organizations that can redistribute it,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. She noted that nonprofits require specialized infrastructure to ensure food is handled and stored according to safety standards during transit.
According to the DEP, food waste remains one of the largest contributors to Pennsylvania’s waste stream, with an estimated 1.6 million tons of food disposed of each year. In addition to taking up landfill space, decomposing food waste produces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
State officials said projects serving communities identified under Pennsylvania’s Environmental Justice guidelines were given special consideration during the selection process, with an emphasis on supporting areas that face higher environmental and economic challenges.
To see a full list of recipients, click here.
