Benefits of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program are best seen and heard! Following are quotes from grantees who already are putting their new equipment to use, expanding access to fresh, healthy food in their communities:
Showers of Blessings Faith-City Worship Center, San Bernadino County:
“The most rewarding aspect of participating in the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program has been witnessing the direct impact on our community. With the improved refrigeration, we can offer a consistent supply of fresh, healthy food to those who need it most. It has been incredibly fulfilling to see the smiles on the faces of families who now have access to high-quality food and to know that we are contributing to food security and health in our community.”
Carpinteria Children’s Project, Santa Barabara County:
“Before receiving this grant, our food pantry relied on an aging refrigerator that frequently malfunctioned, leading to food spoilage and limiting our ability to provide fresh food to the community. With the new energy-efficient refrigerator, we have significantly improved our food storage capacity and reliability. The larger size allows us to store and distribute more fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and other perishable items, ensuring that our clients have consistent access to nutritious food.”
Temalpakh Farm / Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, Riverside County:
“The new refrigeration display equipment has correlated with a 40-percent increase in fresh produce sales compared to the same period last year. The usable shelf life of our product is now extended for our customers, our waste has been reduced and the professionalism of the refrigeration display is likely to increase customer confidence and repeat foot traffic to the store.”
Rancho Market, Alameda County:
“The new units provide better temperature control, ensuring that our produce, dairy and meat stay fresher for longer. This has enhanced the shopping experience for our customers and allowed us to expand our selection of fresh food, making healthier options more accessible to our community.”
Visit the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program webpage to learn more and view a map of where equipment grantees are located across California.