First Lady Lori Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Jessica Shirley highlighted nearly $18 million investment in food recovery infrastructure to help nonprofits across Pennsylvania get more fresh, wholesome food to families while reducing food waste.
During a visit to The Valley Lighthouse, a 2026 recipient of $50,000 in Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant (FRIG) funding, First Lady Shapiro and Secretary Shirley saw firsthand how the investment is helping the organization expand its food distribution capacity. The grant funded a box truck, freezer, and refrigerator — allowing The Valley Lighthouse to more than double the amount of food it can pick up and distribute to families in need.
The Valley Lighthouse received $50,000 in FRIG funding in January 2026 to purchase a box truck, freezer, and refrigerator. The new box truck has doubled the number of pallets the organization can receive from partners, allowing it to distribute more food to families in need.
“Food waste is the leading source of waste in our landfills, and as it breaks down it creates methane, a climate-changing gas, entering our atmosphere,” said DEP Secretary Shirley. “This funding provides nonprofits with necessary resources to keep food fresh until it’s delivered to folks in our communities.”
“It’s hard to express how grateful we are for the grant from FRIG, and the opportunity to guide First Lady Shapiro through our operation,” said The Valley Lighthouse Executive Director Stephen Sands. “The box truck purchased through FRIG has allowed us to more than double the amount of food we are able to pick up and the new freezer and the refrigeration unit allows us to have more food on hand to distribute.”
