By TAYLOR BROWN
Foodland grocery stores in Monessen and Monongahela will soon receive upgrades to accommodate Mon Valley shoppers.
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin announced $10 million in grant funding Thursday for more than 100 projects across the state.
“There are three keys to food security: Is food available, is food affordable, and is food safe?” Redding said. “The Fresh Food Financing Initiative helps make ‘yes’ the answer to all three questions.
“Early in the pandemic, we were all shocked by the empty grocery store shelves. This program has given us the ability to offset the costs food retailers have incurred in making fresh, nutritious food available while safeguarding their employees and customers.”
Some of the grant money, about $50,000, will help two area grocery stores meet the demand for fresh foods.
Duritza Foods LLC received the money through the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, a program funded at $10 million through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
The program opened in July and is available to for-profit, nonprofit or cooperative entities, including grocery stores, corner stores, convenience stores, neighborhood markets and others.
Bob Duritza, general manager of the locations in Monessen and Monongahela, said the company was quick to apply.
To be eligible, more than 70% of sales were required to be from staple, perishable foods, and the retailer must serve customers who live in a low-to-moderate income area. Applicants were also required to demonstrate limited food access as a result of COVID-19 or that direct-to-consumer retail expansion is necessary due to lost or disrupted markets.
Eligible applicants were required to accept SNAP and WIC or have plans to accept them through the completion of the project.
Duritza found out that the two grocery stores received funding Thursday afternoon.
“It’s very cool,” he said. “With this pandemic, people are eating at home a lot more. There is a much greater need for fresh foods.”
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