The Farm Store, a farm-to-table grocery business in downtown Pottsville, has been awarded a $250,000 grant through Pennsylvania’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program.
The funding will support renovations to retrofit a community kitchen aimed at increasing access to fresh, locally sourced food.
The RFSI grant program, part of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides matching grants to strengthen food processing and distribution networks across the state.
“The RFSI Grant Program funding allows us to bring value-added equipment into the Farm Store kitchen that we would not have been able to otherwise purchase,” said Angela Meck, co-owner of The Farm Store. “With this equipment, we can buy more produce from our local farmers and create new, shelf-stable items like freeze-dried strawberries, canned peaches, and dehydrated apples. This not only supports farmers but also benefits consumers by extending the availability of fresh products.”
State Senator Dave Argall (R-29) praised the project as a boost to ongoing downtown revitalization efforts. “For residents of Pottsville, this new access to fresh food in downtown is a big deal,” Argall said. “Congratulations to Angela and Josiah Meck on their work to bring this idea to life.” Argall noted the project complements other downtown investments, including the redevelopment of the former Miners Bank building, Alvernia University’s new campus, and the arrival of new employers in the area.
State Representative Tim Twardzik (R-123) also welcomed the funding. “This investment will breathe new life into a vacant building while creating opportunities for more than 30 local farmers and helping bring over 100 new food products to market,” Twardzik said. “The Farm Store’s project is a perfect example of how we can strengthen our food supply chain and support small farms and food businesses right here in our region.”
The Farm Store first gained attention after winning the inaugural Ignite Schuylkill competition. “Since winning the competition, the Farm Store has become the community asset we knew it would,” said Savas Logothetides, executive director of the Pottsville Area Development Corporation. “Hard work, resilience, and execution are common themes throughout both the program and the entrepreneurs who represent it.”
The Farm Store, located at 113 E. Norwegian St. in Pottsville, operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The RFSI grant program, part of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides matching grants to strengthen food processing and distribution networks across the state.
“The RFSI Grant Program funding allows us to bring value-added equipment into the Farm Store kitchen that we would not have been able to otherwise purchase,” said Angela Meck, co-owner of The Farm Store. “With this equipment, we can buy more produce from our local farmers and create new, shelf-stable items like freeze-dried strawberries, canned peaches, and dehydrated apples. This not only supports farmers but also benefits consumers by extending the availability of fresh products.”
State Senator Dave Argall (R-29) praised the project as a boost to ongoing downtown revitalization efforts. “For residents of Pottsville, this new access to fresh food in downtown is a big deal,” Argall said. “Congratulations to Angela and Josiah Meck on their work to bring this idea to life.” Argall noted the project complements other downtown investments, including the redevelopment of the former Miners Bank building, Alvernia University’s new campus, and the arrival of new employers in the area.
State Representative Tim Twardzik (R-123) also welcomed the funding. “This investment will breathe new life into a vacant building while creating opportunities for more than 30 local farmers and helping bring over 100 new food products to market,” Twardzik said. “The Farm Store’s project is a perfect example of how we can strengthen our food supply chain and support small farms and food businesses right here in our region.”
The Farm Store first gained attention after winning the inaugural Ignite Schuylkill competition. “Since winning the competition, the Farm Store has become the community asset we knew it would,” said Savas Logothetides, executive director of the Pottsville Area Development Corporation. “Hard work, resilience, and execution are common themes throughout both the program and the entrepreneurs who represent it.”
The Farm Store, located at 113 E. Norwegian St. in Pottsville, operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.