News Summary
Pennsylvania officials call on Congress to restore crucial funding for food banks as proposed SNAP cuts threaten food security across the state. Governor Josh Shapiro emphasizes the escalating food shortages during an event in Philadelphia. The Feeding Pennsylvania network anticipates a growing crisis, as the state sees a significant rise in food insecurity, further pressured by potential reductions in SNAP benefits. Lawmakers emphasize the importance of reinstating programs that assist food banks in purchasing local food to combat this urgent issue.
Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania lawmakers are urging Congress to restore vital funding for food banks, emphasizing the urgent need to combat rising food insecurity as proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) loom. At an event on June 4, 2025, held at the Share Food Program in Philadelphia, Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted the ongoing issue of food shortages impacting communities across the state.
The chairs of Pennsylvania’s House and Senate agricultural committees formally communicated their request to Congress in a letter dated June 18. The lawmakers, including Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, Rep. Dan Moul, Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., and Sen. Judy Schwank, stressed the importance of reinstating a previously canceled program that assists food banks with purchasing local food, which is crucial for maintaining food supply to those in need.
June is recognized as Dairy Month in Pennsylvania, marking the achievements within the state’s dairy industry. At a White House event, Lehigh Valley farmer Kathy Raub showcased the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, an initiative designed to support farmers in transitioning their operations to adapt to changes in the agricultural landscape. While Pennsylvania’s current agricultural laws, such as the Right to Farm law and the ACRE law, provide some degree of protection for farmers, they do possess limitations that may hinder effective assistance.
The debate surrounding potential cuts to SNAP, outlined in a spending bill from the Trump administration, is intensifying in the House after initially passing through the Senate. This proposed budget aims to cut approximately $230 billion from SNAP over the next decade, a move expected to have dire consequences for low-income families reliant on food aid. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s CEO, Shila Ulrich, has signaled concern that reduced SNAP benefits will exacerbate the existing food insecurity crisis. As of December 2024, over 275,000 individuals in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania were registered for SNAP benefits, demonstrating a significant reliance on this form of assistance.
The anticipated reductions in SNAP benefits could translate to a staggering loss of 396 million meals annually for Pennsylvanians. Food banks, already at full capacity, may struggle to manage an influx of demand resulting from decreased government support. Currently, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank relies heavily on federal assistance, receiving multiple truckloads of food and monthly grants dedicated to purchasing fresh food. Both of these resources face uncertainty if the cuts are implemented.
The Feeding Pennsylvania network, which comprises nine Feeding America partner food banks throughout the state, anticipates an inability to meet the growing food insecurity needs due to the cuts. This network serves over 1.5 million individuals annually, providing approximately 237 million pounds of food through a wide array of agencies. Recent statistics illustrate a concerning trend of food insecurity in Pennsylvania, which has increased by over 40% in the past two years, further pressuring food banks and community resources.
The proposed legislation has faced criticism for its failure to effectively address hunger, with numerous lawmakers across party lines, including Representatives Fitzpatrick, Boyle, Evans, Dean, Scanlon, Houlahan, Lee, Deluzio, and Senator Fetterman, opposing the cuts. Many see the adjustments as worsening the already vulnerable state of food access for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.
As Congress considers the implications of the proposed SNAP cuts, food banks in Pennsylvania brace for increased demand, stressing the need for immediate intervention and support to ensure that no one in the state goes hungry. Collaborative efforts among state leaders, agricultural lawmakers, and food assistance networks will be crucial in addressing this pressing issue of food insecurity.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Sun Gazette: Food Bank Keeps Wary Eye on Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
- Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Food Banks Face Crisis
- WNEP: Debated Spending Bills Impact on Food Banks
- WJAC: Area Food Banks Concerned with Proposed SNAP Benefit Cuts
- Wikipedia: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
