LYKENS, PA — Pennsylvania has distributed nearly $18 million in food-recovery infrastructure grants since 2020, funding equipment for 375 nonprofits as the state seeks to expand food distribution while diverting more discarded food from landfills.
First Lady Lori Shapiro and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley highlighted the program Tuesday during a visit to The Valley Lighthouse in Dauphin County, where a $50,000 grant paid for a box truck, freezer and refrigerator that the nonprofit says have more than doubled its food pickup capacity.
The Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant program reimburses nonprofits for equipment used to store, transport or prepare recovered food, including refrigerators, freezers, vehicles, stoves and microwaves. Individual grants of up to $50,000 were available, with special consideration given to projects serving Environmental Justice areas.
DEP has awarded three rounds of funding since 2020 — the first in 2020, another in 2023 and the latest this year. The grants have gone to 375 nonprofit organizations statewide.
The current administration has awarded $8.3 million to 230 nonprofits through the 2023 and 2026 funding rounds, according to DEP.
The Valley Lighthouse received its $50,000 grant in January. The organization said its new truck doubled the number of pallets it can receive from food-distribution partners, while additional cold-storage equipment increased the amount of food it can keep available for families.
“The box truck purchased through FRIG has allowed us to more than double the amount of food we are able to pick up,” Executive Director Stephen Sands said.
The program links two state policy priorities: food access and waste reduction. DEP estimates food waste is the largest single component of Pennsylvania’s waste stream, accounting for nearly 1.6 million tons disposed. The department also points to methane emissions produced as food decomposes in landfills.
“Food waste is the leading source of waste in our landfills, and as it breaks down it creates methane,” Shirley said. She said the grants give nonprofits equipment needed to keep recovered food fresh until it can be distributed.
The administration has also spent $46.5 million since taking office to provide free breakfast to Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million public-school students and free lunch to 22,000 students who qualify for reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program.
It has also established and staffed the Pennsylvania Food Policy Council, which is charged with developing strategies addressing food insecurity, nutrition and food waste.
“Access to fresh, healthy food is a challenge for too many across Pennsylvania,” Lori Shapiro said, adding that the administration intends to continue supporting programs that expand access to food.
DEP’s 2026 grant round totaled about $4.1 million. Chester County recipients included Chester County Food Bank, Kennett Area Community Service, Phoenixville Area Community Services, Safe Harbor of Chester County and West Chester Food Cupboard.
More information about DEP programs is available at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep.
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