HARRISBURG – In recognition of Hunger Action Month, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) stood with local and state leaders to shed light on the impacts of food insecurity in Pennsylvania and how the state is involved in addressing and spreading awareness about hunger.
According to Feeding America, with a population of almost 13 million, one in eight (1.5 million) Pennsylvanians and one in six (436,250) children continue to face some kind of food insecurity.
“There is no county in our commonwealth that has been untouched by food insecurity,” said Vogel. “With many factors contributing to Pennsylvanians experiencing hunger, such as the rise in inflation and overall price increases, residents continue to face the difficult decision of choosing between paying their bills and purchasing groceries for their family. All our residents deserve to have access to quality, healthy food, and as a legislator I remain committed to supporting responsible initiatives that will make this a reality.”
Vogel and Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-20) lead the bipartisan Legislative Hunger Caucus and oversee the Capitol Hunger Garden.
The Hunger Garden has been in operation since 2010 and has been maintained by volunteers, Penn State Master Gardeners, and the Department of General Services. Hundreds of pounds of produce continue to be donated to Downtown Daily Bread who in turn provides hearty meals to the homeless in the Harrisburg area. This year so far 426 pounds of produce have been donated with more to come as the season continues.
Other press conference attendees included Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding; Pennsylvania Dept. of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh; Feeding PA CEO Julie Bancroft; Central PA Food Bank CEO Joe Arthur; and Hunters Sharing the Harvest Executive Director Randy Ferguson.
The state departments of Agriculture and Human Services continue to play a critical role in assisting with nutrition and food assistance which are available statewide to those in need.
Secretaries Redding and Arkoosh provided their perspectives as to how their departments actively assist to address food insecurity.
“In a state where we have so much bounty, no one should go hungry,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Partnerships with Feeding Pennsylvania, Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, and groups like Hunters sharing the Harvest extend our reach to Pennsylvanians who need our help. The department connects more than two million Pennsylvanians annually with healthy, local food through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System and Local Food Purchase Assistance and other food assistance programs. Over the past year, these state and federal investments alone meant that $15 million in Pennsylvania-produced fruit, vegetables, animal protein, and dairy products reached families in need in every county in the state, while also supporting our farms and communities.”
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves the dignity and peace of mind of knowing where their next meal is coming from. Helping our communities affected by food insecurity requires public investment in anti-hunger initiatives and strong partnerships with agriculture, anti-hunger organizations, and private partners – work that DHS is proud to support,” said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “SNAP and anti-hunger programs are here to help, so I urge those who need help paying for food to apply for nutrition assistance rather than going without and putting your health at risk. For those who are able, please consider donating your time or treasure to local food banks, pantries, and community kitchens. Our communities are only as strong as our neighbors who are struggling, so let’s work together to make sure every Pennsylvanian has what they need to be healthy, pursue their goals, and thrive.”
Ferguson, who is the executive director for Hunters Sharing the Harvest, shared a unique account of how his organization helps fight hunger through distribution of donated venison.
“Pennsylvania hunters are not just taking care of their families with the deer they are harvesting here in Pennsylvania, but they are performing a social service on a scale that may surprise you,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson stated that last year alone, Pennsylvania hunters donated 262,000 pounds (about 7,000 deer) of venison, which they equate to 1.3 million servings of venison, to the food insecure in the state. Over the course of the organization’s 33 years in operation approximately 2.5 million pounds of venison have been donated in Pennsylvania.
On the legislative front, the General Assembly has helped fight against hunger in many ways, especially through its state budget.
Specifically in this year’s budget, the legislature allocated:
- $98.8 million toward School Food Services.
- $26.7 million toward the State Food Purchase Program under PA Dept. of Agriculture.
- $2 million toward the Fresh Food Financing Initiative under the PA Dept. of Agriculture.
- $1 million toward the Food Access Initiative under the PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development which funds the DCED Fresh Food Financing Initiative administered by The Food Trust.
