The state is making federal funding available to businesses — such as grocery stores — that sold fresh produce during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday that $10 million is available for these companies. The funds are part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act — CARES Act — and available to for-profit, nonprofit, or cooperative entities affected by COVID-19. This includes grocery stores, corner stores, convenience stores, neighborhood markets, bodegas, food hubs, mobile markets, farmers markets and several other food collection centers that provide supplies to the public.

“This pandemic has revealed many things, one of the most prevalent has been about where our food comes from — how it gets from the farm to those who need it,” said state Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. “We need to stimulate local economies, increase market opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers, create jobs and contribute to better health by improving access to fresh, local foods — we need to feed Pennsylvania, now and in the years to come.”

Redding said the relief fund aims to strengthen local food systems and improve food security and nutrition. The program will be administered by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Department of Community & Economic Development. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 14. The grant will cover coronavirus-related costs incurred between March 1 and Nov. 30.

To be eligible for The Fresh Food Financing Initiative, more than 50 percent of all consumer sales for businesses must come from staple and perishable foods, and retailers must serve customers living in low-to-moderate income areas.

Additionally, stores interested in applying must show they carry high-quality fresh produce, along with meat and dairy products and other healthy grocery items, and also accept SNAP and WIC to the maximum extent possible.

Wolf said that additional considerations were made in light of the “food apartheid” on Black and minority communities by prioritizing applications made by Black- and minority-owned businesses serving low-income areas. Areas known as “food deserts” — where fresh produce is hard to come by — are also being targeted.

Funds are meant to offset higher operating costs related to virus-related precautions such as additional costs associated with cleaning and social distancing requirements.

“Pennsylvania’s food retailers stepped up to the plate to protect those putting food on the shelf, to think outside of the box to protect the most vulnerable, and to make investments to support those using assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC to support their families,” Wolf said.

Those interested can apply online at agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.