Statement attributed to Julie Bancroft, CEO
HARRISBURG, PA (July 12, 2024) –Feeding Pennsylvania is disappointed by the General Assembly’s decision to flat-fund core nutrition programs in the FY25 Commonwealth budget. Despite a $14 billion budget surplus and on the heels of new data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report showing a twenty-five percent increase in food insecurity across Pennsylvania, neighbors experiencing hunger have been left behind.
State-funded anti-hunger programs are critical investments that bridge the gap between federal programs and what food banks must privately fund to distribute food to millions of children, families, and seniors across Pennsylvania. The State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) designates lead agencies in all 67 counties to receive funds for the purchase of food, a vital investment, especially for smaller food pantries in less resource-rich areas. The Senior Food Box Program (SFBP) home delivery funding allows some of our most vulnerable seniors to receive a monthly food box directly to their homes. The Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) supports local agriculture and reduces food waste by redirecting food products to the charitable food system.
In an era of significant increases in food costs, which are felt by neighbors and the food banks that serve them, flat funding is essentially a cut to core programs. This decision not only hampers the ability of food banks to meet the increasing demand but also puts additional strain on our neighbors who are already struggling to put food on the table.
We look forward to continuing to raise awareness of the impacts of hunger and food insecurity in the Commonwealth for the more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians impacted by this funding decision.