Wolf Administration to Distribute $80 Million in USDA Foods, Receives Extension of COVID-19 Disaster Food Distribution Extension

Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced that the Department of Agriculture has received approval to continue operating the Disaster Household Distribution program, through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), to provide food to Pennsylvanians adversely affected by COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Originally approved by the USDA on March 27, the Disaster Household Distribution program, set to expire the end of May, has been approved through June 25.

“While we’re working to safely reopen Pennsylvania, many are still out of work and in need of the food security this program offers,” said Secretary Redding. “This extension lifts a weight off the shoulders of families across the commonwealth, giving assurance that food is always accessible.”

The waiver eliminates the need for individuals to verify financial eligibility upon arrival at a food bank or pantry. Those in need of food through June 25 simply need to show up and receive their food. In addition to removing barriers for Pennsylvanians to access food, the waiver allows the Department of Agriculture and its partners to distribute USDA Foods – including meats, vegetables, fruits, canned goods, cereal, rice, pasta, eggs, milk, and more – to those in need.

The department estimates that in 2020, the Bureau of Food Assistance will move more than $80 million of USDA foods through Pennsylvania’s charitable food system in all 67 counties, with the state’s allocation of TEFAP funding from USDA. In 2019, nearly $50 million was allocated to the purchase of USDA Foods. The additional allocation for 2020 comes through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act, in addition to an increase in funding through continued trade mitigation efforts by USDA.

“We know that reopening Pennsylvania will take time, and as families start to rebuild their lives and hopefully return to work, we also know that many will continue to need the support of the charitable food network to get them through this transition,” said Jane Clements-Smith, executive director of Feeding Pennsylvania.  “We are grateful for the USDA’s commitment to helping us deliver food efficiently and supporting our efforts through innovative programs that not only support families with nutritious food, but also support our farmers and processors.”

In addition to accessing these USDA Foods and foods procured by the food bank, Pennsylvanians are now able to access fresh, local foods through the Farmers to Families Food Box program. Food banks around the state have begun to hold events to distribute fresh products from USDA-approved distributors, including 17 Pennsylvania-based contractors providing milk and other dairy products, pork, chicken, and fresh produce. Pennsylvanians interested in receiving a box through the Farmers to Families Food Box program should contact their local food bank for distribution information.

“Food does more than feed our bodies, it lifts our spirits when everything around us is changing and unfamiliar,” added Redding. “Its my hope that no one hesitates to take advantage of the programs and food available. Today’s troubles are temporary, these times will pass. Pick up a box of food from a local farmer, enjoy the taste of home, and don’t worry. Pennsylvania’s farmers and charitable food system are up to the task of keeping Pennsylvania nourished.”

For more information about Food Security in Pennsylvania, visit agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity. For information as it relates to agriculture during COVID-19 mitigation in Pennsylvania visit agriculture.pa.gov/COVID. For the most accurate, timely information related to Health in Pennsylvania, visit on.pa.gov/coronavirus.

2020 Watch: Will Tuesday clinch the nomination for Biden?
By WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Whether Joe Biden will win Tuesday’s eight primaries isn’t in doubt. But will it be enough to formally clinch the Democratic presidential nomination? The former vice president needs to win 89% of all delegates at stake to do so. Biden is the last candidate standing. But supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders keep urging voters to cast ballots for him so he can amass delegates and have a greater influence on the party policy platform at the Democratic National Convention. Biden has met the 89% threshold in only two contests since Super Tuesday: Mississippi and Nebraska. Votes will be cast in Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota and the District of Columbia.

Teargas used on Philadelphia crowds as destruction continues
By RON TODT undefined
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Officials in Philadelphia have closed off much of the center of the city after peaceful protests over George Floyd’s death turned into a night of destruction with store windows smashed near City Hall, merchandise taken from stores and police and other vehicles and structures set afire. But people were running into multiple stores in Northeast Philadelphia on Sunday, well outside the city center, and emerging with merchandise as disorder continued for a second day elsewhere in the city. In West Philadelphia, a predominantly black neighborhood also far from the city center, police fired tear gas as police cars once again were set ablaze.

Trump took shelter in White House bunker as protests raged
By JONATHAN LEMIRE and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump spent time in a White House bunker during Friday night’s protests outside the executive mansion. Secret Service agents rushed him there as some of the demonstrators were throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades. Trump spent nearly an hour in the underground shelter, which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist attacks. That’s according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private matters and requested anonymity. The account was confirmed by an administration official who also spoke on condition of anonymity.

Route 288 Zelienople Road Utility Work Starts Monday in Franklin Township

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing utility work on Route 288 (Zelienople Road) in Franklin Township, Beaver County will begin Monday, June 1 weather permitting.

Single-lane alternating traffic controlled by flaggers will occur as needed on Route 288 between Old Furnace Road and Zelie Drive from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays through late August. Crews from Verizon will conduct cable removal and replacement work.

Motorists are advised to use caution, allow extra time, and expect changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 950 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Speaker Turzai: Americans Demand Justice

 

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement in support of ALL Pennsylvanians following a day of protests, mired by rioting and looting:

“The killing of George Floyd by a police officer was depraved and senseless.

“Americans demand justice.

“The tragic incident exposes the need for fairness in all aspects of our national life. We need to continue to promote educational choice and economic opportunity for all. We need to protect every life, from the unborn to the elderly. We say this because every human being deserves dignity and respect. That is why we must address our criminal justice system in part by fostering renewed professionalism and decorum. We have yet to end racism and discrimination. We have come far, but not far enough.

“At this critical time in the life our state, the capital city of Harrisburg could offer a vision for change—a Democratic Mayor and a Republican Speaker standing together for educational choice and community policing and economic investments leading to family-sustaining jobs. We can cross the partisan divide. We can stand together for what is right. We can heal broken communities.

“This moment calls for hope, not fear; love, not hate.”

Pa. National Guard ready to support local law enforcement 

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. –  Under the authority of Governor Tom Wolf and at the direction of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania National Guard has placed over 600 Guardsmen on state active duty to provide support to local law enforcement in keeping order during protests.

“The Pennsylvania National Guard is ready to provide safety and protection to our communities,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania. “Our troops are trained to protect life, preserve property and ensure people’s right to peacefully demonstrate.”

The Guard units are able to conduct operations in support of civil authorities to enhance local law enforcement’s ability to provide continued public safety and critical infrastructure security.

Target, CVS temporarily close stores due to protest dangers
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer
Target and CVS say they’ve temporarily closed certain locations, including some that were damaged during protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. Target said Sunday that six of its stores will remain closed for an extended period of time. Its Lake Street store in Minneapolis, which was heavily damaged, will reopen sometime later this year. Target closed or shortened hours at more than 200 of its stores over the weekend, but it says most would reopen Sunday or Monday. CVS, which is headquartered in Rhode Island, has closed stores in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Floyd, who was black, died after a white Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin his neck down for several minutes.

SpaceX’s historic encore: Astronauts arrive at space station
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX has delivered two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. The Dragon capsule arrived Sunday morning, hours after a historic liftoff from Florida. It’s the first time that a privately built and owned spacecraft has delivered a crew to the orbiting lab. The capsule docked automatically, barely 19 hours after liftoff. SpaceX launched the Dragon from Kennedy Space Center on Saturday afternoon, the first astronaut launch from the U.S. to orbit in nearly a decade.