Nearly $100,000 in State Grant Funding Awarded to OHF Orchards, Says Leadbeter

May 19, 2025

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia) announced OHF Orchards in Bloomsburg received just over $99,500 in state funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grant program.

The money will go toward building cold storage infrastructure, enabling the orchard to store up to 13,500 bushels of apples on-site. This will allow the farm to meet local demand, improve storage and packing capabilities, and enable the business to reduce costs and increase profits while providing cold storage solutions to other local growers and strengthening the local economy.

“In Columbia County, agriculture is more than a livelihood. It’s how we care for our neighbors, support our families and keep our community strong from one generation to the next,” said Leadbeter. “So many people depend on a robust local farming and agribusiness industry, and I’m pleased to see OHF Orchards receive this award to remain a key cog in the region.”

This allocation is a portion of $3.4 million spread across businesses in 23 counties.

The goal of Pennsylvania FFFI is to strengthen local food systems and increase market opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers by providing grants that increase the availability of fresh and local foods in underserved and low-income or moderate-income communities in this Commonwealth.

This initiative supports local agricultural producers and retailers through reimbursement grant funding to facilitate the establishment, construction, rehabilitation, and expansion of grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other retail food establishments, with priority to those in areas designated by the USDA as food deserts. 



Representative Robert Leadbeter
109th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives