Pennsylvania Ag Connection - Food Bank Uses Technology to Feed the Hungry

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Food Bank Uses Technology to Feed the Hungry
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 09/25/2018

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's (PDA) Planting the Seed Tour visited the Greater Washington County Food Bank to learn how its farm is using agriculture technology to eliminate hunger in southwestern Pennsylvania. "The Farm," as it is commonly known, uses the latest evidence-based farming practices to spur agricultural and economic development, empowers and educates the community, and employs innovative ways to serve those at risk for hunger.

"The Greater Washington County Food Bank's commitment to the community benefits residents in tangible, meaningful ways, and that commitment was on full display today," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "Using resources to feed the food insecure, using technology to engage youth, and using partnerships to expand their reach--these are all the ways that their work has a direct impact on neighbors and community members."

The Greater Washington County Food Bank, founded in 1981, started The Farm to address the root causes of hunger in the region. The 22-acre farm provides the community with fresh, healthy food and educational programming aimed at teaching, inspiring, and employing community members. Additionally, the food bank distributes, at no cost, monthly food packages to Washington County residents who fall within the 150 percent of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines. Each month, the food bank serves food packages to approximately 5,000 food-insecure families.

Pennsylvania agriculture is a $135 billion industry with tremendous opportunities, but one that is also facing several challenges, including an aging workforce. Attrition and advancing technologies will result in a workforce deficit of nearly 75,000 over the next decade. The Planting the Seed Tour aims to engage and educate the next generation about the many education and career opportunities available in Pennsylvania agriculture.

Over the past three years, the Wolf Administration has invested more than $50 million in agriculture-related economic development projects; increased support for workforce development and agricultural education to help prepare students and workers for the thousands of anticipated job openings in the industry over the next decade; and signed historic legislation that has created new markets for farmers and lowered their tax burdens. The administration is also working to expand broadband access to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, creating jobs and improving infrastructure statewide, especially in rural communities.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's programs and services, or to learn more about the Planting the Seed initiative, visit agriculture.pa.gov.

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