DEP Funds Helping FaithCentre Food Bank Fight Hunger While Reducing Waste

More than $100,000 from a state grant program is helping FaithCentre Food Bank in Bellefonte provide more fresh food to families in need and reduce waste.

Department of Environmental Protection representatives visited the 135 S. Allegheny St. food bank on Thursday to highlight how the funding from the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant Program has assisted the facility to expand its capacity to safely accept, transport and store fresh food that could otherwise go to waste.

FaithCentre received $112,904 through three successive FRIG grant rounds to purchase and install a refrigerated cargo van and 17 refrigerator and freezer units. The new resources allow the food bank to collect thousands of pounds of fresh food from retailers that could otherwise go to waste and redistribute it to hundreds of clients each month.

“These grants have a huge return on investment for Pennsylvanians,” Jessica Shilladay, solid waste program specialist in DEP’s Bureau of Waste Management, said in a statement. “By working with capable community partners like the FaithCentre, the FRIG program helps to reduce the amount of fresh, wholesome food that might have otherwise been unnecessarily disposed.”

The organization received $66,185.64 in FRIG Program grant funds in 2020 for two freezers, two refrigerator/freezer units, and a refrigerated cargo van; $17,047 in 2023 for three freezers and two refrigerators; and $29,672 this year for eight freezers.

Before purchasing the freezers, FaithCentre often had to refuse donated frozen meat and produce due to lack of storage capacity.

“Each week, our refrigerated van, purchased through a FRIG grant, is filled with meat and other perishables that are then stored in commercial freezers and refrigerators – once again provided by FRIG,” Nicole Summers, FaithCentre executive director, said in a statement. “Without the van and freezers, our offerings would be greatly limited and likely confined to long shelf-life items, such as canned vegetables and soup.

“Being able to offer a wide range of proteins, vegetables, and grains is important for both the health of those we serve and in ensuring that they will not experience food insecurity or have to skip meals.”

After installing the new equipment, FaithCentre donated its older, smaller-capacity equipment to community members in need of refrigeration units.

Food Recovery Infrastructure Grants are awarded to reimburse the cost of equipment like refrigerators, freezers, refrigerated and non-refrigerated vehicles, stoves and microwaves to store, transport, or prepare the recovered safe, fresh, wholesome foods to ensure that the food can be redistributed to the public. Food waste releases greenhouse gases when it decomposes and is estimated to be the largest single component of the Pennsylvania waste stream, according to the DEP.

“A simple thing like a refrigerated cooler or a refrigerated truck can mean the difference between a family having meals or going hungry,” DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said in a statement. “This program is all about getting good, fresh food to the Pennsylvanians who need it most instead of going to waste in landfills.”

The FaithCentre Food Bank serves more than 400 residents of the greater Bellefonte, providing monthly distributions to registered, income-qualified clients, as well as emergency food assistance to to anyone facing a crisis, regardless of geographic location.