Shapiro Administration Announces $21 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain

Shapiro Administration Announces $21 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain is sponsored by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Provides grants to farms and food manufacturers to increase capacity and strengthen Pennsylvania’s food supply chain.

Shapiro Admin Announces $21M to Strengthen Food Supply Chain -- Grow PA Ag | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Shapiro Administration Announces $21 Million Investment to Strengthen Pennsylvania’s Food Supply Chain and Grow the Commonwealth’s Agricultural Industry Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced over $21 million in federally-funded grants to 77 farms and food manufacturers to increase capacity, drive growth, and provide opportunity throughout Pennsylvania’s food supply chain.

“Pennsylvania is investing to feed our future through a stronger local supply chain, which means healthier communities, thriving businesses, more job opportunities, and more resilience in challenging times,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding . “Historically, partnerships with the federal government have expanded Pennsylvania’s capacity to feed local growth.

This partnership builds on that longstanding tradition of cooperation that benefits our national and local economy as well as families across Pennsylvania. ” The funding comes through Pennsylvania’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program — a cooperative agreement with U.S. Department of Agriculture, which was announced by Governor Josh Shapiro at the 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show .

The program provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants to support food processing, distribution, and aggregation from multiple farms to help meet demand for local, seasonal, and fresh food. For qualifying historically underserved, women-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses, the required match is reduced to 25 percent.

Grants will support equipment upgrades, safety improvements, and facility modernization, allowing manufacturers to expand product lines and better connect farmers with consumers.

The program includes two types of grants: Infrastructure Grants for system-wide improvements that benefit groups of producers Equipment-Only Grants for critical upgrades and new purchases RFSI funding compliments the impact of the Shapiro Administration’s investments to give Pennsylvania’s farms expanded access to capital and markets through PA Preferred Organic™ and the new Organic Center of Excellence, the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation Grants , Fresh Food Financing Initiative , and other strategic investments to strengthening local production and keep Pennsylvania a national leader in agriculture.

Governor Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy prioritizes agriculture and manufacturing as essential to Pennsylvania’s economic future. His 2025–26 budget proposal includes: $13 million in additional funding for the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program, after receiving nearly $70 million in project applications in its first year.

In February, the Governor announced 88 grants to ag businesses in 46 Pennsylvania counties , which are funding transformative investments in state-of-the-art agricultural technologies.

$4 million increase to connect Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger with healthy, local food through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System and a $4 million increase to the State Food Purchase Program to provide emergency food assistance for low-income Pennsylvanians and support local farmers. $13. 5 million to continue the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, supporting business planning, infrastructure, and workforce development across the $132.

5 billion agriculture industry RSFI grant recipients, the amount and type of grant, and project descriptions are listed below by county. Equipment-Only grants are designated as EO, and Infrastructure Grants are designated as IG. Hollabaugh Bros.

— $100,000 (EO) Installation of a semi-automated apple-packing line to increase efficiency, reduce labor costs, and expand into six new regional markets, benefiting over 40 local producers Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative — $80,802 (EO) Expanding tree crop processing capacity with new equipment including nut hullers, crackers, mills, and oil pressers.

The upgrades will increase production of hickory nut oil and enable new product lines such as nut flours, in-shell and shelled nuts, and other oils. At least 55 local growers will benefit through improved market access and expanded revenue opportunities in wholesale and retail channels.

Knouse Foods Cooperative — $100,000 (EO) Installation of advanced optical apple sorting machinery to improve food safety and processing efficiency, supporting 116 cooperative producers Rice Fruit Company — $1,250,000 (IG) Constructing a controlled atmosphere storage building to extend fresh apple storage from 25 local and regional farms, reduce waste, and expand markets Upgrading its warehouse, fleet, and adding a production kitchen to expand local food delivery and value-added products, supporting at least 150 Pennsylvania producers The Mini Piebox — $98,977 (EO) Launching a shared-use food processing hub with new commercial kitchen equipment for urban farmers Turner Dairy Farms — $750,000 (IG) Expanding its Pittsburgh distribution center with cold storage, state of the art loading docks, and automation to improve efficiency, worker safety, and market access Who Cooks For You Farm — $150,000 (IG) Building a curing and storage facility to expand organic vegetable distribution and benefit more than 15 area farms Brunton Dairy — $460,718 (IG) Rebuilding dairy processing plant destroyed by fire in 2023.

The new facility will feature energy-efficient and labor-saving equipment, allowing the farm to resume on-site milk processing to produce a variety of products for local retailers and consumers. The project revitalizes operations and restores jobs for five families affected by the fire.

Caldwell Farms — $43,451 (EO) Upgrading milk bottling and storage to scale organic grass-fed dairy production, shift to glass packaging, and expand market reach Clover Farms Dairy — $500,000 (IG) Expanding refrigeration and product development to grow milk processing capacity and source from more than 10 dairy producers Keim Orchard — $48,745 (EO) Upgrading fruit packing equipment with stainless steel machinery to improve efficiency, meet food safety certifications, and expand reach into schools, food banks, and distributors The Organic Snack Company — $500,000 (IG) Enhancing value-added bakery infrastructure by upgrading equipment to produce extruded, filled, and layered granola and snack bars.

The investment will improve efficiency, expand processing capacity, and establish a new co-packing operation. Local and regional producers will benefit through increased sourcing of ingredients like oats, nuts, honey, and pea protein.

Small Dog Orchard — $91,297 (EO) Purchasing cider production equipment to increase output and offer custom pressing services to local growers Delivered Fresh — $100,000 (EO) Doubling cold storage and fleet refrigeration to expand local food access and benefit more than 80 producers across Pennsylvania and New York Derstine’s — $500,000 (IG) Investing in cold storage and logistics equipment to help more than 37 PA producers access wholesale and institutional markets Manoff Market Cidery — $100,000 (EO) Acquiring a cider press and fermentation vessels to expand market access and improve quality, safety, and output Pie Bird Farm — $99,261 (EO) Expanding cold storage and acquiring processing equipment to increase the efficiency and capacity of its bakehouse.

Upgrades will support production of value-added products using regional fruit, vegetables, grains, and dairy. A new rack-based system for baking, packaging, and storage will reduce waste, boost use of local ingredients, and help stabilize farm incomes.

Frankferd Farms Milling — $22,886 (EO) Upgrading milling and bagging equipment to increase product lines and packaging efficiency Marburger Farm Dairy — $207,333 (IG) Constructing cold storage to support dairy product expansion, benefiting 65 small, local farms Centre Markets — $111,985 (EO) Renovating commercial kitchen facilities to support product development and expand distribution for regional producers Common Ground Farm — $140,000 (IG) Converting a seasonal packing house into a solar-powered, on-farm food processing facility to expand processing, aggregation, and storage for organic vegetables and grains.

The project will benefit at least 16 regional organic farmers, support job creation, and generate new revenue through food hubs, food banks, distributors, and wholesale markets.

Investing in commercial kitchen equipment to increase baked goods production with local ingredients, supporting at least five regional producers Nittany Meadow Farm — $100,000 (EO) Establishing the county’s first goat-specific dairy processing facility to produce and distribute a variety of goat dairy products OHF Orchards — $40,495 (EO) Purchasing poly macro bins to minimize spoilage and improve efficiency and sales Rohrbach's Farm — $26,240 (EO) Upgrading apple sorting equipment to increase capacity and efficiency, enabling the farm to source more apples and expand sales Country Food — $160,000 (IG) Installing steam systems to expand shelf-stable yogurt production and support 60 local dairy farms Painterland Sisters — $1,250,000 (IG) Upgrading equipment to double organic cream sourcing from Pennsylvania farms and increase skyr yogurt production Honey Bear Natural Foods — $91,650 (EO) Expanding plant-based frozen dessert manufacturing with new chilling and freezing equipment, sourcing more local ingredients and building new retail partnerships Edinboro Market — $99,681 (EO) Expanding kitchen, storage, and delivery capacity to help producers bring more local goods to retail and wholesale buyers Farmer’s Kitchen — $1,000,000 (IG) Constructing a processing facility to produce organic frozen potato products, creating a new market for regional organic potato growers Manison Farms — $100,000 (EO) Purchasing bulk truck bins and gondolas to improve grape aggregation efficiency and increase sales Mason Farms — $65,500 (EO) Purchasing bulk storage and transport equipment—including two four-ton gondolas and four twelve-ton tubs—to improve post-harvest handling of harvested grapes.

The investment reduces contamination risk and supports expanded production and distribution into new market outlets. Robert Mazza, Inc. — $97,500 (EO) Optimizing sparkling wine processing and packaging with new equipment to boost production and co-packing services for regional vineyards Sisters of St.

Joseph Neighborhood Network — $64,019 (EO) Upgrading farmers market infrastructure with cold storage and processing stations to increase access and sales Welch Foods Cooperative — $750,000 (IG) Modernizing ammonia refrigeration systems to increase grape juice and spread production, supporting 200 grower-owners Whoa Nellie Dairy — $47,650 (EO) Expanding milk bottling capacity with a 100-gallon vat and automatic bottler to double efficiency and market reach Lady Moon Farms — $88,690 (EO) Purchasing automated bagging equipment to expand organic pepper production and reach regional and national markets John-Paul's Farm — $44,299 (EO) Installation of specialty outdoor cold storage unit to extend produce shelf life and foster local farm collaboration Stello Foods — $1,000,000 (IG) Expanding warehouse and production space to launch new lines of salsas, sauces, and preserves, connecting with more than 20 local farms, boosting processing capacity Friends of the Poor — $413,013 (IG) Establishing a centralized cold-storage food distribution hub to streamline nonprofit and farmer access to fresh food for thousands of residents Cedar Meadow Farm — $449,898 (IG) Constructing a packing house and cold storage to improve local produce quality and market access.

Coddiwomple Canning Company — $96,530 (EO) Expansion of custom preservation and delivery services to support fruit and vegetable farmers in 42 counties.

Hess Bros Fruit Company — $100,000 (EO) Software upgrade for enhanced inventory management and product traceability supporting more than 90 local orchards Reist Popcorn Company — $100,000 (EO) Acquisition of ozone generation technology to improve popcorn processing efficiency, reduce waste, and support more than 15 producers.

Taylor Chip — $510,971 (IG) Launching ice cream production and expanding processing to new markets with support from local dairy farms Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley - The Seed Farm — $76,626 (EO) Upgrading wash and pack station and refrigerator to assist incubator farmers with post-harvest handling The Food Dignity Project — $723,839 (IG) Building cold storage, processing, and delivery systems to support 29 farms and launch 15 new value-added products Michael Family Farm — $77,023 (EO) Purchase and installation of on-farm dairy processing equipment to expand product offerings and markets for farms in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties Lengel Brothers Farm — $97,627 (EO) Acquisition of cold storage units and refrigerated vehicle to extend shelf life and improve produce delivery Pocono Organics — $59,258 (EO) Expanding processing capacity for microgreens to increase output and regional retail distribution Horse Shoe Ranch — $87,841 (EO) Upgrading egg production and distribution infrastructure by adding a flat washing machine, an 840-square-foot walk-in cooler, and a refrigerated delivery van.

These improvements will boost post-harvest efficiency and expand refrigerated storage and delivery capacity, enabling the farm to scale operations and add four new delivery routes. The project will also support market access for 12 additional small and mid-sized local farms.

Scholl Orchards — $100,000 (EO) Purchasing refrigeration and forklifts to expand fruit and vegetable aggregation and market access for 43 local producers Boyd Station — $1,000,000 (IG) Expanding organic soybean oil processing capacity with new equipment, infrastructure, and storage to support over 200 Pennsylvania farmers Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association — $1,964,439 (IG) Installing equipment at Maola Local Dairies to produce lactose-free and long-shelf-life dairy products, expanding capacity to 25 million gallons annually and supporting 851 family farms Mycopolitan Mushroom Farm — $93,747 (EO) Enhancing mushroom storage, processing, and delivery with refrigeration and dehydrating equipment Philly Foodworks — $99,515 (EO) Outfitting a production kitchen to convert excess produce into prepared foods, supporting over 50 farmers Ripple Creek Craft Distilling — $90,938 (EO) Acquisition of distilling technology to double production and integrate local ingredients The Food Trust — $460,974 (IG) Investing in cold storage, commercial kitchen, and vehicles to help three aggregators bring more than 105 products from over 75 producers into Philly markets The Word of God Community Church — $70,306 (EO) Purchasing cold storage, kitchen equipment, and a delivery van to increase processing and distribution in partnership with the Black Farmers Cooperative Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild — $43,899 (EO) Acquisition of mobile honey extraction unit to increase processing capacity and service area Love 'n Fresh Flowers — $89,030 (EO) Purchasing a refrigerated van to distribute temperature-sensitive crops and edible flowers across Philadelphia, Chester, and Lehigh counties The TACHS Farm — $37,500 (EO) Adding a delivery vehicle to expand urban farm produce distribution to grocery stores and restaurants God’s Country Creamery — $99,958 (EO) Expanding dairy processing and cold storage to increase sales and support 12 local food producers Farm Store — $250,000 (IG) Retrofitting a vacant building into a value-added kitchen to support over 30 local farmers and 100 new products Red Hill Farms — $600,000 (IG) Constructing a facility with advanced washing, sorting, and bagging equipment for organic specialty potatoes, increasing regional grower access to new markets Cascio’s Fruit Market — $61,220 (EO) Purchasing a delivery vehicle to increase distribution of local produce from over 400 farms to community feeding sites Penn Dairy — $217,350 (IG) Adding processing tanks to scale yogurt production using milk from regional dairy farms Mansfield Cider Mill — $96,063 (EO) Expanding cider production and storage capacity with new UV processing equipment to boost orchard revenues and reduce food waste Kennedy’s Cheese — $77,379 (EO) Acquiring cheese-making and cold storage equipment to expand production and support area dairy farms Titusville Dairy Products — $100,000 (EO) Upgrading pasteurization equipment to double milk processing capacity and support 20 local dairy producers Purchasing a refrigerated van to expand the distribution of fresh microgreens to regional markets.

The vehicle will increase delivery range, cold storage capacity, and food safety, enabling MI-Grow to pursue new contracts with large distributors and strengthen its role in the regional food supply chain. The SpringHouse Country Store — $95,078 (EO) Modernization of dairy processing equipment to expand flavored milk and ice cream production.

Weatherbury Farm — $83,388 (EO) Upgrading grain processing and commercial kitchen equipment to produce new value-added products from organic grains. An optical sorter will allow the farm to sell berry-grade wheat and dehulled buckwheat, while additional equipment will support its wood-fired bakery, including production of breads, baked goods, and fresh frozen pasta.

These enhancements will increase revenue and expand wholesale and retail distribution for Weatherbury Farm and its local partners. Pleasant Lane Farms Creamery — $99,207 (EO) Expansion of cheese aging, processing, and storage capacity to support six family dairy farms.

Hopkins Farm — $749,496 (IG) Modernizing and expanding vegetable processing and cold storage to improve safety, energy efficiency, and revenue for Hopkins and farm partners Department of Agriculture Media Contacts Department of Agriculture Department of Agriculture