Lawmakers, Administration End State Budget Impasse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Lawmakers, Administration End State Budget Impasse 

With charitable food organizations facing record demand, getting state money for vital programs flowing again will help feed hungry families  

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Nov. 12, 2025) --- Hunger-Free Pennsylvania today issued the following statement after lawmakers and the administration negotiated a deal to end the state’s months-long budget impasse and push through a bipartisan spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year – one that includes modest increases in programs designed to fight food insecurity in the commonwealth. 

“We’re grateful that state leaders were able to come together and finally pass a budget that helps get critical funding moving again and provides a bit more support for critical anti-hunger programs,” Hunger-Free Pennsylvania Executive Director Stuart I.R. Haniff, MHA, said. “But even as we welcome this resolution, hunger in Pennsylvania remains at record levels. Food banks across the commonwealth are serving more families than ever before. 

“This is a positive step, especially with the additional state support, but much more will need to be done over the long term to ensure every Pennsylvanian has enough to eat,” he continued. “Maybe this show of unity and cooperation is a sign of better things to come — because hunger isn’t a partisan issue. It affects every legislative district, every community, and every neighbor we serve.” 

Hunger has been surging due to higher costs for food and other essentials and slashed SNAP benefits. Each month, SNAP provides more than $366 million in benefits to help nearly two million Pennsylvanians put food on their tables — including more than 713,000 children and 697,000 seniors. At the same time, many food banks are seeing a surge in demand that rivals the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In the budget negotiated among policymakers and the administration, the State Food Purchase Program would see a $4 million, or 15 percent increase in funding to $30.688 million. Of that increase, $3 million would go to the core SFPP program and $1 million would be allocated for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS). 

SFPP remains a lifeline for food banks across Pennsylvania, helping all 67 counties purchase and distribute food to low-income families and seniors. PASS redirects millions of pounds of Pennsylvania-grown agricultural products that might otherwise go to waste to organizations that provide nutritious meals. 

Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, in partnership with 18 food banks serving all 67 counties, represents one of the largest charitable food distribution networks in the commonwealth. HFPA, in collaboration with state and federal governments and other nonprofit organizations, works to ensure food security for all Pennsylvanians. 

For more information, visit www.pafoodbanks.org. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Stuart I.R. Haniff, MHA 

Executive Director | Hunger-Free Pennsylvania 

(c): 412.290.3045 | shaniff@pafoodbanks.org 

www.pafoodbanks.org