GERMANTOWN, PA — The Shapiro Administration announced $3.375 million in grants under the 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI), aiming to improve access to fresh, affordable food while bolstering local agriculture. The investment supports food businesses in 24 counties, emphasizing communities with limited access to healthy food options.
“Pennsylvania farmers do the noble work of producing fresh, healthy food every day,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “This initiative creates opportunities for both farmers and families to thrive by connecting local food systems to underserved communities.”
Grants will fund projects such as mobile markets, expanded cold storage, and new retail spaces to ensure better food availability. Notable recipients include:
- Weavers Way Co-Op, Philadelphia County ($452,372): Expanding cold storage and creating a mobile market to serve food deserts.
- KFish Comestible, Philadelphia County ($85,000): Renovating a community grocery store to improve access and offer job training.
- Dynamic Roots, Philadelphia County ($5,986): Establishing an urban farmer’s market and education hub.
- Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Allegheny County ($100,000): Relocating to create a health-focused market and provide job training.
- Broad Street Market, Dauphin County ($500,000): Upgrading facilities in the nation’s oldest continuously operating market.
- Big Table Farm, Beaver County ($48,025): Expanding inventory and delivery capabilities for local produce.
- The Community Grocer, Philadelphia County ($100,000): Opening a new market in a food desert with affordable, locally sourced groceries.
The roundtable discussion at Weaver’s Way Food Co-Op highlighted challenges such as cold storage and food safety for farmers, while addressing solutions to improve food distribution and reduce uncertainties caused by federal funding cuts.
FFFI aligns with broader Shapiro Administration investments in food security, including funding for universal school breakfasts and senior nutrition programs. By empowering local agriculture and creating equitable food systems, the initiative takes a significant step toward reducing food insecurity and cultivating a thriving agricultural economy.
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