Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding toured OHF Orchards in Bloomsburg on April 8 to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s investments in local farms and efforts to increase access to fresh, affordable food for Pennsylvania families.
OHF Orchards, a veteran-run business and PA Preferred fruit producer, received $99,536 from the 2025 Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grant and over $125,000 from other initiatives. These funds are being used to expand cold storage, boost profits, and meet local demand for apples. Redding said, “While costs are rising for farmers and families alike, Pennsylvania is investing to help consumers recognize and access fresh, locally produced food, and keep more dollars right here, in the pockets of farmers and families, making our economy stronger. Giving farmers the help they need to shorten their supply chains, lower their costs, and sustain their businesses is one of the many ways the Shapiro Administration is creating opportunities for Pennsylvania families and the farmers who feed them to thrive.”
Redding announced that applications are now open for a second round of FFFI grants with up to $2 million available. In 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro signed legislation enabling the Department of Agriculture to revive FFFI as a response to challenges faced by local food supply chains during COVID-19. Since then, $6 million has been secured for the program with $3.4 million invested across 23 counties. Businesses providing fresh food directly to consumers—including those in USDA-designated food deserts—are eligible for these grants.
The department also awarded OHF Orchards $116,689 through Agricultural Innovation Grants supporting new technologies in orchard management. Applications remain open until April 18 for a second round of Ag Innovation grants totaling $10 million. Additionally, OHF received a Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant funded by federal dollars in 2025.
Mimi Thomas-Brooker of PA Veteran Farming Network said about these efforts: “The veterans we work with… benefit greatly from grants funded with federal dollars and through the PA Farm Bill. OHF Orchards is a living demonstration that Pennsylvanian’s tax dollars supporting veteran-owned farms is good business, and good for their communities. We’re proud to partner with Secretary Redding, Governor Shapiro, and the legislature in getting projects like Mr. O’Hara’s on the ground.”
Pennsylvania agriculture contributes $132.5 billion annually to the state economy and sustains over 593,000 jobs according to the official website. The Department supports community prosperity by conserving farmland and natural resources while fostering economic growth through investments designed to remove barriers within agriculture according to its official website. More than 49,000 farm families manage over 7.3 million acres generating annual cash receipts of $7.8 billion according to information provided by its official website. The Department extends operations across Pennsylvania offering inspection services for consumer protection while promoting state agricultural products as reported by its official website.
Further details about current funding opportunities can be found at pa.gov/agriculture or through the organization’s press release.
