CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture participated in a roundtable discussion in Cumberland County on food security issues facing Pa. residents.
The discussion is part of the biannual meeting of the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition (PHAC) and the PA Food Policy Council which compromises groups fighting hunger and underlying policy issues that perpetuate food insecurity.
Over 100 people participated in the meeting that took place on Dec. 13 with topics including the 2025 state budget and whether to increase funding to programs to keep up with inflation.
"One of our biggest concerns is the new budget and making sure that the support that we have for our statewide programs, like the senior food box program, and all the other initiatives that exist now, that those aren't taken off the table, and that the funding keeps pace with inflation," said Stuart Haniff, spokesperson for Hunger Free Pennsylvania.
The 52 agencies on Aging in Pa. also spoke on partnering with the Department of Agriculture to provide fresh produce to local nursing homes and community centers.