Food banks across Pennsylvania saw an explosion in their use in 2020 as the pandemic shuttered the economy and millions were put out of work. A year later, those same institutions, which already have helped millions, are still feeling the stress from that increased demand.
That’s why the state Department of Agriculture says it’s purchased an additional 7.9 million pounds of emergency food from the federal government. The food, valued at $12.9 million, will be delivered between June and December of this year, the agency said in a statement.
“While we’re actively getting Pennsylvanians back to work as the pandemic slows, many are still recovering from severe economic stress which has in turn stressed our charitable food system,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a statement. “These federal funds are allowing us to increase the flow of food to food banks across the commonwealth as they work to continue meeting unprecedented demand.”
The state says it’s going to channel $3.2 million in federal money, provided through the U.S. government’s Emergency Food Assistance Program, to help food banks cover administrative costs, as well as the transportation and storage of the emergency food, which includes meats, vegetables, canned goods, and cheese to local food pantries and other access points.
The amount of emergency food purchased through the federal government’s program has skyrocketed during the pandemic, rising from an average of 23 million pounds of food a year before the pandemic to 70 million pounds of food in fiscal 2020. The state is on track to distribute an additional 70 million in USDA food in fiscal 2021, the agency said.
According to the most recent data available, 12.5 percent of Pennsylvanians reported experiencing some form of food insecurity, according to The State of Childhood Obesity, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
People who experience food insecurity often have to reduce the quality or variety of their diet, according to the State of Childhood Obesity. Overall food insecurity rates nationwide range from 7.4 percent in North Dakota to 20.1 percent in Mississippi, the organization’s data shows.
Redding said he encouraged state residents “still experiencing a financial strain to take advantage of these foods through your local food pantry. Better days are ahead, but for now, take a hand up.”
If you’re experiencing food insecurity and need help, you’re eligible for state and federal food assistance at Pennsylvania’s food banks and pantries. You can find additional support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, the Agriculture Department said.
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