Latest news with #FeedingPennsylvania
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CAPITOL ROUNDUP: State officials highlight vital role SNAP plays in supporting the economy
Jun. 22—WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined leadership from Feeding Pennsylvania and the Central PA Food Bank this week to discuss the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The discussions come amid federal proposals that would take food assistance away from at least 140,000 Pennsylvanians and significantly alter the program, costing the state over $1 billion more annually and jeopardizing the program's sustainability. Governor Josh Shapiro has made clear that Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs. While SNAP helps nearly two million people in all communities of our Commonwealth purchase food for themselves and their families, SNAP participation rates are higher in rural areas than in urban or suburban areas. Children and older adults represent more than half of Pennsylvanians helped by the SNAP program, and the program also allows lower-income working families and people with disabilities to keep food on their tables. "SNAP helps people meet one of our most essential needs — allowing them to participate fully in work and school and live healthier," said Arkoosh. "Should these proposals to change SNAP become law, vulnerable children, people with disabilities, older Pennsylvanians, and many others would see their access to food at risk and will further destabilize our agricultural economy and workforce during a tumultuous time." Every month, SNAP brings more than $365 million in cash benefits that can only be used on food — supporting local businesses, food producers, and Pennsylvania's agricultural economy. "Farmers receive nearly a quarter of every dollar Pennsylvania families spend on groceries, whether those dollars are from SNAP or any other source," Redding said. "Most of Pennsylvania's 48,800 farms are family-run. Losing SNAP dollars would hit Pennsylvania's farm families as well as the families of the 12,000 people working in the grocery industry whose jobs are directly supported by monthly SNAP spending." Congress is currently in the midst of a budget reconciliation process that is seeking to make major cuts to federal programs — primarily Medicaid and SNAP. The bill still needs to pass the U.S. Senate and be signed into law, so there are currently no changes to SNAP. Rep. Meuser co-sponsors SAFE Cities Act U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, co-sponsored H.R. 3894 — the Stop Anarchists From Endangering (SAFE) Cities Act — this week. The legislation would ensure federal resources support jurisdictions that maintain law and order and take reasonable steps to protect their residents. The SAFE Cities Act directs the Attorney General to identify "anarchist jurisdictions" — defined as state or local governments that prevent law enforcement from restoring order, reject federal assistance, defund or disempower their police, or otherwise fail to respond to widespread violence and property destruction. Jurisdictions identified as such would face restrictions on certain categories of federal funding. The legislation codifies a Presidential Memorandum issued by President Trump during his first term to restrict federal funding from jurisdictions that tolerate lawlessness and undermine public safety. Meuser said this legislation was introduced following recent incidents in Los Angeles where protests against federal immigration enforcement escalated into violent riots. Demonstrators attacked federal law enforcement officers with rocks and Molotov cocktails, vandalized federal buildings, set vehicles ablaze and attempted to obstruct immigration enforcement efforts. To restore order in Los Angeles, Meuser said President Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard troops. Despite these efforts to restore public safety, California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit to end the federalization of the National Guard. "The SAFE Cities Act is a crucial piece of legislation that puts the safety and security of our communities first," said Rep. Meuser. "We cannot allow public safety to take a backseat to political ideology. This bill ensures federal support goes to communities that protect their citizens, support their law enforcement, and take appropriate action in the face of violence. Our constituents — and the law enforcement officers who serve them — deserve no less." This bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration. Bipartisan resolution condemns antisemitic violence U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, introduced S. Res. 288 this week. The bipartisan resolution condemns the horrific rise in violent antisemitic attacks across the country. Citing the attempted murder in Boulder, Colorado, the arson attack on the Pennsylvania Governor's residence, and the tragic murder of two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capitol Jewish Museum, Sen. McCormick and Sen. Fetterman, along with 34 of their colleagues, remain unified in denouncing anti-Jewish hatred. "Antisemitism has no place is America," said McCormick. "Since October 7, 2023, the Jewish community has faced unprecedented and persistent antisemitic hate and violence. This hatred cannot stand. Living in Squirrel Hill, right around the corner from the site of the devastating Tree of Life Synagogue attack in 2018, really brings this issue home for me. Protecting my friends and neighbors, and all Jewish people across the country, must be a national priority." "Amid a despicable rise in antisemitism, we are starkly reminded that silence is complicity," said Fetterman. "These appalling attacks on our Jewish communities are not isolated events. After 11 lives were stolen at the Tree of Life massacre in 2018, I've felt an even stronger moral obligation to confront antisemitism wherever it appears and stand united against hate." U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) introduced the House of Representatives companion to this resolution. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Pashinski bill providing healthy eating, stretching SNAP dollars passes House
Jun. 3—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski said on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program would support PA's agricultural economy while simultaneously increasing access to nutritious food at a time when many Pennsylvanians' budgets are tight. Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, celebrated the passage of his legislation establishing a statewide program to provide benefit incentives — called Food Bucks — to SNAP recipients purchasing qualifying fruits and vegetables. Rep. Pashinski said under the Pennsylvania Food Bucks program established by H.B. 1096, a Pennsylvania nonprofit would administer the program, providing benefit incentives of no less than 40 cents for each dollar a SNAP participant spends on certain healthy foods at participating retailers. Rep. Pashinski said that similar programs have been passed and implemented in other states and have been proven to improve diets through increased fruit and vegetable consumption. "SNAP nutrition incentive programs like this can reduce hunger, support local farmers and retailers, and improve the health of Pennsylvanians," Rep. Pashinski said. "I thank my colleagues for ensuring that Pennsylvania families who rely on SNAP have more consistent access to the essential fruits and vegetables needed for balanced nutrition and a healthy life." The incentives — often taking the form of a paper or digital coupon issued when a shopper pays with SNAP/EBT — would allow shoppers to purchase additional fruits and vegetables at participating food retailers. In addition to any state funds allocated, Rep. Pashinski said matching dollars may be available from the federal government to stretch these investments even further. House Bill 1096 is supported by Feeding Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, and The Food Trust — a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to delicious, nutritious food for all. "The Pennsylvania Food Bucks program would be a game-changer for our Commonwealth — delivering a triple win for families, farmers and the economy," said Mark Edwards, president and CEO, The Food Trust. "Pennsylvania's farmers stand to gain significantly — as families fill their tables with fresh, local food, farmers expand their customer base, increase revenue and scale up production." "The PA Food Bucks Program is a win for food retailers and families," said Alex Baloga, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. "It drives produce sales, increases SNAP customer traffic, and strengthens relationships between stores and their communities." Julie Bancroft, CEO, Feeding Pennsylvania, said, "Ensuring children, seniors and families have access to adequate nutrition is not a partisan issue. Access to healthy food items like fruits and vegetables is proven to reduce long-term health care costs, increase lifetime earnings, and will make Pennsylvania a healthier, better place to live." House Bill 1096 moves to the state Senate for further consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Pashinski's committee addresses food waste and food insecurity
Mar. 6—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski on Thursday said food insecurity and waste hurt residents, the economy and the environment. Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee chair, convened what he called "a critical informational meeting" at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative in Philadelphia to address the interconnected issues of food waste and food insecurity. Representatives from state agencies, private businesses and nonprofit organizations gathered to discuss ongoing efforts to make Pennsylvania's food systems more efficient and ensure that surplus food reaches those in need. "In a country and commonwealth abundant with high-quality, nutritious food, it is unconscionable that so much is wasted," Pashinski said. "Thankfully, organizations, private businesses and our state government are all stepping up to take on these interconnected issues." By encouraging increased efficiency and innovation to reduce food waste and keep Pennsylvania families fed, Pashinski said the committee is also supporting PA farmers and producers. "I thank all our speakers for sharing their expertise with the committee, and I look forward to working together to ensure edible food ends up on Pennsylvanians' plates and not our landfills," Pashinski said. According to Feeding Pennsylvania, one in eight Pennsylvanians — including one in six children — faces hunger. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 30% to 40% of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted — food that could otherwise help feed families. Pashinski said the committee examined strategies to bridge this gap and maximize the impact of food rescue and redistribution efforts. Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Philadelphia, said most people have no clue how wasted food can be used to help with food insecurity. "A majority of the wasted food comes from the retail level, so we need to work with retailers, making sure they know that there are incentives for them to donate safe and healthy food," Parker said. "While food insecurity is a worldwide issue, solving it requires grassroots advocacy, establishing relationships with private retailers and educating them through conversation." Pashinski said the meeting highlighted the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors in tackling these challenges. Participants discussed: —Food rescue efforts that redirect surplus food to food banks or, when no longer edible, repurpose it for composting, animal feed or organic fertilizers to support Pennsylvania farms. —Food Bucks, an initiative that increases nutrition incentives for SNAP recipients, providing extra dollars when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. —Innovative strategies from food merchants to prevent waste at the source through efficiency improvements, donations and redistribution programs. The Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture and Human Services also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting food security initiatives and streamlining processes to minimize waste. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
