The Giant Co. puts $200K toward making food system more resilient

Walking among the farm tunnels in the Pennsylvania city of York, the state’s agriculture officials and Carlisle, Pa.-based The Giant Co. leadership toured nonprofit, community-based York Fresh Food Farm, which helps some of the million-plus Pennsylvanians experiencing food insecurity.

The grocery retailer committed $200,000 to grow the food system’s resiliency, according to a news release.

Standing as the only farm in that city, York Fresh Foods grows 14-16 tons of vegetables annually inside the city limits, according to local CBSNews 21.

The officials were there for a PA Urban Ag Week tour, part of the PA Farm Bill Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined Dave Lessard, vice president of omnichannel merchandising fresh at The Giant Co., for the check presentation and to tour the farm’s efforts to improve food access in its community. 

“Strengthening our food system is critical to The Giant Co.’s purpose of connecting families for a better future. And urban agriculture is critical to this narrative — it is growing food security, creating healthier communities, addressing food system inequities and connecting families around the dinner table,” Lessard said in the release.

The retailer’s support is part of its 100th anniversary celebration efforts, which honors team members, customers and the communities it serves, according to the release.

A company of Ahold Delhaize USA, The Giant Co. serves shoppers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey with more than 193 stores, 132 pharmacies, 107 fuel stations and over 180 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery service in hundreds of ZIP codes.