Pennsylvania officials and a representative from the Giant Food Stores visited an urban farm in York on Tuesday to announce Giant’s contribution to a state grant program.
The Giant Co., the supermarkets’ parent company, will provide $200,000 for Urban Agriculture Infrastructure grants, boosting total program funding for 2023-24 to $700,000.
The grants, provided through the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, support initiatives to increase fresh food access in underserved urban areas.
“These grants will help communities tear down barriers, reverse a long history of poor nutrition, and fund new opportunities that can change families’ lives,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said.
Giant is making the donation in honor of its 100th anniversary, merchandising Vice President Dave Lessard said.
Redding, Lessard and Gov. Josh Shapiro made the announcement at York Fresh Food Farms, which received grants of $15,000 and $21,850 to increase its production and storage capacity. It has also received donations totaling $8,000 from Giant.
In Lancaster County, the nonprofit Discerning Eye Community Agriculture, DECA, received an Urban Agriculture Infrastructure grant in the 2021-22 for its urban gardening initiative.
The application period for the 2023-24 grants opens next Monday, July 17, and runs through Sept. 1. Applications must be submitted through the Department of Community & Economic Development’s Single Application Portal. For more information, click here.
