HARRISBURG – Two area markets in the 23rd Senatorial District were awarded state grants this week through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s $10 million Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI), according to state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).
The Potting Bench greenhouse and workshop located in South Williamsport, Lycoming County, will receive a $59,903 grant and the Lewisburg Farmer’s Market located in Union County will receive $90,000 through the program. Both grants fund expenses related to PPE and other in-store COVID-19 mitigation efforts, expansions, refrigeration, online marketing materials, mobile market enhancements, and more.
“Access to fresh, local food is critically important, especially at a time when so many people are still struggling financially due to the coronavirus,” Sen. Yaw said. “This funding will enable the Potting Bench and the Lewisburg Farmer’s Market to continue providing high quality products to area residents.”
To be eligible, more than 70 percent of sales were required to be from staple, perishable foods to consumers and the retailer must serve customers who live in a low-to-moderate income area. Applicants were also required to demonstrate limited food access as a result of COVID-19 or that direct-to-consumer retail expansion is necessary due to lost or disrupted markets.
The FFFI is available to for-profit, nonprofit, or cooperative entities impacted by COVID-19, including grocery stores, corner stores, convenience stores, neighborhood markets, bodegas, food hubs, mobile markets, farmers markets, on-farm markets, urban farms, and food aggregation centers with a direct connection to direct-to-consumer retail outlets.
For more state-related news and information, visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT: Rita Zielonis, Chief of Staff
(717) 787-3280