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May 15, 2025 - Germantown, PA

Shapiro Administration Invests $3.4 Million to Support Farms, Make Fresh, Affordable Food Available to More Pennsylvanians

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.4 million investment in businesses in 23 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms.

"Pennsylvania farmers do the noble work of producing fresh, healthy food every day," Secretary Redding said. "But too many families struggle to find affordable, fresh food close to home, and their health suffers, sometimes for generations. The Fresh Food Financing Initiative helps food businesses like Weaver's Way Food Co-op combine the power of small farmers to reach communities where fresh food has been miles away or unavailable completely. The initiative is part of a full menu of proven solutions the Shapiro Administration continues to invest in to create opportunities for both Pennsylvania's families and the farmers who feed them to thrive."

Speaker list:
Stephanie Shirk, Director of the Agricultural Business Development Center, PA Dept. of Agriculture
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Alessandro Ascherio, Manager, Weaver's Way Farms
Mark Edwards, President & CEO, The Food Trust
Eli Moraru, Cofounder & President,The Community Grocer



Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_001.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_002.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_003.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_004.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_005.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_006.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_007.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_008.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_009.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_010.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_011.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_012.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_013.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_014.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_015.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_016.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_017.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_018.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_019.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_020.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_021.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_022.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_023.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_024.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_025.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_026.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_027.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_028.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_029.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_030.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_031.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_032.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_033.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_034.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_035.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_036.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_037.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announces recipients of 2025 Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grants, a $3.375 million investment in businesses in 24 counties that connect low-income communities with fresh, healthy, affordable food produced by local farms. The announcement followed a roundtable discussion at Weavers Way Food Co-op, surrounding challenges farmers face in getting their products to the customers who need them including availability of cold storage, delivery vehicles, food safety, retail space, and more.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/27684_agric_foodSystems_KR_038.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>