The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will host a webinar to discuss the application process for the Food Retail Innovation in Delivery Grant (FRIDG) program on Friday, April 21 at 2:00 PM. The FRIDG program will provide grants to food retailers to purchase and install self-contained, temperature-controlled lockers within NJEDA-designated Food Desert Communities (FDCs) to expand grocery delivery options, improving food access for FDC residents. The application for the program is expected to open later this month.
Through FRIDG, food retailers can receive up to $250,000 in funding to purchase and install self-contained, temperature-controlled lockers in one of the state’s 50 designated FDCs, where residents can then have their online grocery orders delivered. For those lacking a reliable delivery location due to housing insecurity or unpredictable work schedules, the FRIDG lockers will provide FDC residents with a safe, convenient location where their grocery orders – including produce, meat, and dairy – will stay fresh until retrieved. Bonuses are available to food retailers that place their lockers in one of the FDCs ranked in the top 10 statewide, partner with a community-based organization to locate their locker onsite, and/or waive some or all delivery fees to the locker.
The webinar is scheduled 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 21. Those interested can register for the webinar here.
