Feeding Pennsylvania

Through Feeding PA's "Bid. Buy. Donate" program, young farmers continue to make a difference in their communities ?? Through "Bid. Buy. Donate." youth farmers auction their animals at local fairs, earning funds for goals such as college or technical school. Winning bidders donate the meat to food banks, and the PA Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) covers processing, packaging and transportation costs at a USDA-certified processor. The positive impact of this program is undeniable, as it supports PA agriculture, empowers the next generation of farmers, and provides fresh, nutritious food to families facing hunger. Learn more at bit.ly/bidbuydonate. #AgWeek25

Farms are businesses, and PASS helps them succeed ?? We're kicking off National Agriculture Week by celebrating 10 years of PASS. Through the PA Agricultural Surplus System (PASS), PA food banks are reliable partners for local growers, enabling them to pay workers, cover costs, and plan production. This impactful program creates a mutually beneficial relationship that strengthens our communities. #AgWeek25 #NationalAgricultureWeek #NationalAgricultureWeek2025

Today is National Ag Day! ?? Farmers, farmworkers and other food producers are essential partners in the movement to end hunger. Feeding America, Feeding Pennsylvania and our member food banks are proud to work with farmers to connect USDA foods with people facing hunger. #AgDay25

Over 2 million Pennsylvanians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed their families. While SNAP benefits differ per household, the average benefit is $6 per day. Even when cooking simple meals using shared and cost-effective ingredients, this benefit only brings the cost of one day's groceries for a family of two from $39.64 down to $33.64. With 1 in 8 people in PA experiencing food insecurity, protecting and strengthening SNAP is more important than ever. For recipes that are delicious, affordable and accessible, check out Nourish PA at https://lnkd.in/eff9ZBzr. This partnership between Feeding PA and PA Eats produces simple, healthy and delicious recipes and videos for home chefs that can be made with limited equipment, ingredients and budgets.

PA was one of the first states to create a farm to food bank program that allows farmers to sell directly to food banks and the charitable food network. Now, Governor Shapiro is building on that success and proposing a $4 million increase so that even more farms can participate. We urge members of the PA General Assembly to support this proposal that invests in PA agriculture and the charitable food network.

Feeding PA representatives joined with partners from member food banks and Feeding America to meet with Congressman Thompson, Senator Dave McCormick and other PA legislators to discuss protecting essential federal nutrition programs. #FoodBankFlyIn #EndHungerTogether

A huge shoutout to our generous partners at Troegs Brewing Company! ?? Their Perpetual Giving campaign, fueled by the popularity of Perpetual IPA, has raised more than $40,000 for Feeding Pennsylvania in just two years! This incredible support helps us provide vital food assistance to families across the state. Read more at blog.troegs.com.

March is National Nutrition Month?, and we're excited to share more about our Nourish PA series with you all month long! We're starting with: What is Nourish PA? This recipe and video series offers delicious, nutritious and accessible recipes that anyone can make, using limited steps, limited equipment and ingredients commonly acquired through food banks and pantries. Our videos share culinary how-tos and creative ways to use particular ingredients. There's also Nourish PA for Kids, a set of fun, easy snacks and meals that school-age children can prepare for themselves! PA Eats produces the Nourish PA series in collaboration with our partners at Feeding Pennsylvania. To learn more about how to support this program, head to PAEats.org!

At Solebury Orchards, offering high-quality produce to their neighbors in southeastern PA is owner Brian Smith's primary focus. In 2023, Solebury Orchards started working with Bucks County Opportunity Council, which utilized their PASS and LFPA funding to purchase Solebury’s apples and cider for neighbors in Bucks County. “What makes this partnership even more special is knowing that it’s a two-way street," said Bucks County Opportunity Council Food Program Manager Elizabeth Zbinden. "For Solebury Orchards, it provides a reliable market for their crop, and, for us, it ensures we can meet the rising demand for fresh, nutritious food in our network. This collaboration demonstrates how local agriculture and community support can come together to make a meaningful impact.” Read more about Solebury Orchards, Bucks County Opportunity Council and how PASS and LFPA funding support farmers and food banks ??https://lnkd.in/e5jD8mWP.

Food banks and food pantries are critical community resources for those experiencing food insecurity. Not only do they provide food, but they also offer other services like job training, personal finance classes and transportation to and from work so that neighbors can get back on their feet. We must protect the proposed increased state investments in SFPP and PASS so that these organizations can continue to serve those in need.