From staff reports

LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County is among dozens of communities statewide receiving funding through a state program aimed at reducing food waste and improving access to fresh food for residents in need.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced this week that Mifflin County Commissioners, through Mifflin/Juniata Human Services, were awarded $7,641 through the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant Program. The funding will help cover the cost of equipment used to store, prepare and transport recovered food for redistribution.

The grant is part of a $4.1 million investment in nonprofit organizations across Pennsylvania, including food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens.

“This program is all about getting good, fresh food to the Pennsylvanians who need it most instead of going to waste in landfills,” DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said. “Nonprofit organizations such as food banks and soup kitchens play a vital role in providing sustenance to communities, so it’s important that the food they provide is transported and stored properly.”

The Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant Program reimburses organizations for equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves, microwaves and refrigerated or non-refrigerated vehicles used to recover and redistribute safe, wholesome food. Grants of up to $50,000 were available, with special consideration given to projects serving environmental justice areas.

State officials said food waste represents one of the largest components of Pennsylvania’s landfill stream, totaling nearly 1.6 million tons disposed annually. When food decomposes in landfills, it releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

In addition to the Mifflin County award, grants were distributed across central Pennsylvania and other regions of the state, including:

Central Pennsylvania and nearby counties

• Blair County: Central Pennsylvania Food Bank ($48,804); The Hope Center ($27,995); Tyrone Area Food Bank ($10,370)

• Centre County: Commonfood Inc. ($34,715); Faithcentre Inc. ($29,672); Greater Buffalo Run Valley United Methodist Church ($7,936)

• Huntingdon-area service: Indiana County Community Action Program Inc. ($50,000)

• Perry County: Newport Assembly of God Church ($50,000)

• Northumberland County: Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA ($50,000)

• Lycoming County: American Rescue Workers ($40,437)

Other notable awards statewide

• Dauphin County: The Valley Lighthouse ($50,000)

• Lancaster County: Blessings of Hope ($50,000); Power Packs Project ($50,000)

• York County: York County Food Bank ($50,000); New Hope Ministries Inc. ($50,000)

• Philadelphia County: Philabundance ($50,000); North Light Community Center ($50,000); Caring for Friends ($48,865)

DEP officials said the program supports both hunger relief and environmental goals by keeping usable food out of landfills while strengthening local food distribution networks.

For Mifflin County, officials said the funding will help improve food recovery efforts that serve residents facing food insecurity across the county and surrounding rural areas.