The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program
The Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program (HRGP) funds energy efficient refrigeration units in corner stores, small businesses, and food donation programs in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state to stock California-grown fresh produce, nuts, dairy, meat, eggs, minimally processed, and culturally appropriate foods.
The County of Los Angeles and its partner, The Energy Coalition, received funding in the first round of the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program to install energy-efficient refrigeration units in small businesses located in food deserts across the county. This video features interviews with some of these store owners about their experiences with the program.
Healthy Refrigeration Resources
The use of traditional refrigerants in refrigeration equipment has been identified as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. This program promotes the use of climate-friendly and energy efficient refrigeration equipment and requires the use of refrigerants with a low global warming potential (GWP), a value indicating the amount of global warming a substance may cause.
Refrigerants with a high GWP are the most used class of refrigerants and cause significant damage to the climate. The leakage of one 30lb tank of R-404A, a high GWP refrigerant, is equivalent to the CO2 emitted by driving 14 additional passenger cars each year. Refrigeration systems can hold thousands of pounds of refrigerants and leak at the rate of 20% or more per year. Moving away from high GWP refrigerants will slow the pace of global warming and climate impacts currently underway.
Resources
- View Appendix A and Appendix B , which provide pre-vetted low-GWP equipment lists.
- View the Retail Refrigeration Guide which walks you through common issues and maintenance schedules for refrigeration equipment. It also includes best practices for temperature monitoring, refrigerant regulations, and additional resources.
- View the Equipment Maintenance Schedule, a printable checklist designed to help you easily reference the preventative maintenance tasks for refrigeration equipment that should be completed regularly, monthly, and biannually.
- View NASRC Contractor Directory (NASRC Contractor Directory in English / NASRC Contractor Directory in Spanish ) for a partial list of contractors who could provide turnkey solutions for purchasing, installation, and recycling equipment
Grantee Spotlights
Program Status
Current Projects
They prioritize stocking products sourced from local farmers and farmers’ markets so their store can support California agriculture while providing their customers with access to fresh, local foods.
The Ione Band of Miwok Indians has been using their refrigeration units to support their elders with monthly food giveaways. These refrigerators also allow them to stock meat and produce for the Tribe's special gatherings.
A staff member reported, “The refrigeration units have been instrumental in the Tribes ability to provide healthy food options to Tribal citizens, and we are beyond grateful for this program.”
Carpinteria Children’s Project, a community pantry in Santa Barbara County, is beginning to fill their new refrigerator with produce contributed by local California growers. They serve 80-100 families with their monthly food distributions. A staff member reported, “I am thankful to the CDFA Farm to Fork office for providing us with funds to purchase a new refrigerator. We can now confidently fill it with fresh produce for our families in need without worrying that it will break down and the food will go bad.”
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