As Federal Cuts Continue, Montco Commits $1.1 Million To Fight Hunger

NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County has awarded $1.1 million in grant money to battle hunger around the region, they announced recently, as federally funded food banks continue to be slashed.

That includes a $500,000 commitment for area food pantries and $610,000 for various food system infrastructure projects.

“Grocery prices have surged 25% over recent years, which is a burden for many residents, but especially the 67,000 Montco residents who rely on SNAP benefits,” Montgomery County Commissioner Neil K. Makhija said in a statement. “These investments reaffirm Montgomery County’s commitment to ensuring every resident has reliable access to healthy, nutritious food. They strengthen the safety net at a time when many families are at risk of going hungry.”

The USDA has dismantled a pair of pandemic-era programs that provided more than $1 billion to local food banks under the The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA). At the same time, they also canceled the Local Foods for Schools program.

Montgomery County said that 2,300 residents in the county alone will lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to new requirements.

All this has led to significantly reduced supplies and increased demand on food banks.

“Montgomery County is proud to back the people and places that show up when times are tough – our local pantries, farms, community kitchens,” said Commissioner Thomas DiBello. “This funding provides a lifeline for families who need the extra support so they can put food on the table, and it helps these hardworking organizations continue to meet the needs of the community.”

Food infrastructure projects supported by the county under the new grants include:

• Upper Merion Community Cupboard – Acquiring freezers that will enhance pantry operations. $10,000
• The Open Link (Pennsburg) – Replacing outdated refrigeration units with commercial equipment for storing fresh produce, meat, and dairy. $14,005
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society – Retrofitting a greenhouse in Norristown Farm Park to expand the Food as Medicine program. $87,039
• Gather & Grow Farm (Gilbertsville) – installing infrastructure that extends the growing season. $20,000
• Be ReZilient (Pottstown) – Developing a commercial kitchen for education, entrepreneurship, and food access. $90,000
• The Best Route (Gilbertsville) – Installing a shared commercial kitchen trailer to support their operations. $41,000
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line (Ardmore) – Purchasing a refrigerated van for home food deliveries. $89,000
• Manna on Main Street (Lansdale) – Expanding grocery access through a new home delivery program supported by grant funding. $46,000
• Jenkintown Food Cupboard – Purchasing additional cold storage to improve food distribution. $60,000
• Latinos Norristown PA – Establishing a Spanish-language food handling certification program for Latino restaurant and food service workers. $50,000
• Nriife Roots Collective – Developing a hub in Montgomery County for socially disadvantaged food producers. $45,531
• College Settlement of Philadelphia (Horsham) – Acquiring kitchen equipment to prepare more meals for visiting school groups. $32,425
• Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia – Expanding the Food Saver Challenge in Montgomery County, helping local restaurants reduce food waste. $25,000