Governor’s Budget Boosts Funding for Anti-Hunger Programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor’s Budget Boosts Funding for Anti-Hunger Programs

Utilization rates among charitable food organizations remain high

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Feb. 5, 2025) --- Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 draft budget includes $8 million in additional funding for two of the state’s most important anti-hunger programs — the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) — and continues to fund the Senior Food Box Program, which enables foods banks to deliver nutritious food packages to low-income older Pennsylvanians.

“We are extremely grateful to the governor for this investment and look forward to working with the General Assembly to get these important bipartisan initiatives across the finish line, so we can deliver for our most vulnerable residents,” Hunger-Free Pennsylvania Executive Director Stuart I.R. Haniff, MHA, said.

“No one should have to make impossible choices. Too many times, we hear anecdotes about seniors having to choose between medicine and meals, or parents going without a decent meal to feed their children. It shouldn’t be that way,” Haniff said. “Increasing funding for SFPP and PASS is crucial to our mission to address these problems.”

SFPP remains a lifeline for food banks across Pennsylvania, helping all 67 counties purchase and distribute food to low-income families and seniors. SFPP also helps food banks access federal food commodities and finance transportation and infrastructure improvements. The governor’s budget provides $4 million more for SFPP.

Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector, farm communities and food insecure residents all benefit from PASS, which redirects millions of pounds of Pennsylvania-grown agricultural products that might otherwise go to waste to organizations that provide nutritious meals. The governor’s budget provides an additional $4 million for PASS.

The spending plan also maintains $1 million for home delivery of the Senior Food Box Program. Food insecurity among seniors contributes to malnutrition, which exacerbates disease, increases disability, decreases resistance to infection, and extends hospital stays.

Hunger is surging due to higher costs, slashed SNAP benefits, and declining support for critical safety social nets.

“There isn’t a corner of the commonwealth that isn’t affected by food insecurity and hunger, and the need among residents is at an all-time high,” Haniff said. “We look forward to working with the administration and our elected leaders to ensure every vulnerable Pennsylvanian can put healthy and nutritious food on the table."

Hunger-Free Pennsylvania represents 18 food banks, serving all 67 counties in the commonwealth, and therefore and together is the largest charitable food network in Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit www.pafoodbanks.org.

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MEDIA CONTACTS: Stuart I.R. Haniff, MHA

Executive Director | Hunger-Free Pennsylvania

(c): 412.290.3045 | shaniff@pafoodbanks.org

www.pafoodbanks.org

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