The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded $20,245 to the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard in Ambler and $50,000 to the Willow Grove Baptist Church in Upper Dublin Township.

The funding is part of a $4,125,923 grant package given to various nonprofits, including food banks and soup kitchens, through the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant (FRIG) Program. The grants are designed to reimburse costs for equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves, and both refrigerated and non-refrigerated vehicles. This equipment allows organizations to store, transport, and prepare recovered food for redistribution. Under the program, applicants were eligible for up to $50,000 each.

According to the DEP, food waste is a primary contributor to the state’s waste stream, with an estimated 1.6 million tons disposed of annually. Officials noted that special consideration was given to projects serving areas identified under the state’s Environmental Justice guidelines.

“This program focuses on diverting food from landfills to organizations that can redistribute it,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley.