NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant; Opening of Grant Application Period

[54 Pa.B. 6522]
[Saturday, October 12, 2024]

 The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces an opportunity to apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding offered through the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant Program (Grant Program). This funding is available for registered section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating in this Commonwealth (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)) for grant assistance for the proper management and operation of food waste reduction under the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101) (53 P.S. §§ 4000.101—4000.1904).

 Food recovery infrastructure grants will be awarded to registered nonprofit organizations for the procurement of equipment (refrigerators, freezers, refrigerant and nonrefrigerant box trucks, cargo vans, pallet jacks, dollies, hand fork lifts, stoves, ovens and microwaves) to reduce food waste disposal from food retailers, wholesalers, agriculture organizations, farms and cooperatives (grocery stores and the like) by repurposing and redistributing apparently safe and wholesome foods to nonprofits in this Commonwealth that provide food to segments of the public.

 The registered nonprofit organization must provide proof of their nonprofit status and describe their current food recovery operation and explain how the food infrastructure equipment will enhance their current program. The registered nonprofit organization must also provide a description of their proposed program and provide what food retailers, wholesalers, agriculture organizations, farms and cooperatives (grocery stores and the like) will be partners for the project. Additionally, the registered nonprofit organization must provide a description of how the program will be operated by staff or volunteers, or both.

 Grant awards are predicated on the receipt of recycling fees required by sections 701 and 702 of Act 101 (53 P.S. §§ 4000.701 and 4000.702) and the availability of moneys in the Recycling Fund.

 The maximum grant to a registered nonprofit organization cannot exceed $50,000 for the procurement of food infrastructure equipment attributable exclusively to the grant project. Potential applicants are required to meet with their Department's Regional Planning and Recycling Coordinator prior to submitting an application for funding consideration.

 Special consideration will be given to those applicants identified in Environmental Justice (EJ) Areas:

 • The Department defines EJ areas as ''A geographic area characterized by increased pollution burden, and sensitive or vulnerable populations based on demographic and environmental data.''

 Grant applications must be submitted through the Department of Community and Economic Development's Electronic Single Application web site, eGrants, at https://grants.pa.gov. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2025, to be eligible for funding.

 Inquiries concerning this notice and requests for more information about this Grant Program should be directed to Jessica Shilladay, Organics Recycling Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building, Bureau of Waste Management, Division of Waste Minimization and Planning, P.O. Box 8472, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472 at jesshillad@pa.gov or (717) 787-0125.

Regional Planning and Recycling Coordinators

Southeast Region
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties

Department of Environmental Protection
Waste Management Program
2 East Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
(484) 250-5900
Mary Alice Reisse, mreisse@pa.gov
Ann Ryan, aryan@pa.gov

Northeast Region
Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties

Department of Environmental Protection
Waste Management Program
2 Public Square
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0790
(570) 826-2108
Berit Case, bcase@pa.gov

Southcentral Region
Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry and York Counties

Department of Environmental Protection
Waste Management Program
909 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-8200
(717) 705-6638
Carrie Fleming, cafleming@pa.gov

Northcentral Region
Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union Counties

Department of Environmental Protection
Waste Management Program
208 West 3rd Street, Suite 101
Williamsport, PA 17701
(570) 916-8648
Joseph Delgrippo, jdelgrippo@pa.gov

Southwest Region
Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland Counties

Department of Environmental Protection
Waste Management Program
400 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4745
(412) 442-4000
Michael Celaschi, mcelaschi@pa.gov
Bradley Cunningham, bcunningha@pa.gov
Bill Jester, wijester@pa.gov

Northwest Region
Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties

Department of Environmental Protection
Waste Management Program
230 Chestnut Street
Meadville, PA 16335-3481
(814) 332-6981
Regina Schweinsberg, rschweinsb@pa.gov

JESSICA SHIRLEY, 
Acting Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-1468. Filed for public inspection October 11, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]

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