A Mercer County non-profit is among 17 non-profits throughout Pennsylvania to receive a total of $303,000 in matching funds to grow domestic sales and exports of Pennsylvania agricultural products.

The grants will reimburse these non-profits representing members across the commonwealth up to 50% of the cost of promotional and consumer education projects promoting beef, hardwoods, maple syrup, mushrooms, vegetables, wine and projects promoting regional tourism and growing the consumer base for PA products.

Helping Hands Ministries Inc. out of Mercer was awarded $2,000 in PA Produce Connections grants to provide fresh, locally sourced food boxes during the summer and fall to families and seniors in need throughout the county.

"Pennsylvania produces the world's finest food, fiber and hardwood products. These innovative non-profit associations market those products introducing new hometown fans and visitors from across Pennsylvania and across the world to top quality PA products," said PA Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding.