Helping Harvest Food Bank, in collaboration with Senator Judy Schwank, addressed a gathering of local elected officials and community leaders at Weaver's Orchard near Morgantown to advocate for enhanced funding in the state budget for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS).
The PASS program serves as a vital link between farms and nonprofits, offering a solution for Pennsylvania's agricultural industry to donate safe and nutritious food products. It provides reimbursement for the costs involved in harvesting, processing, packaging, and transporting these surplus foods, which would otherwise go to waste in fields or landfills.
Senator Judy Schwank emphasized the importance of increased funding for the PASS program, highlighting its benefits for both agricultural producers in Pennsylvania and the food assistance network. Currently, the program is allocated approximately $4 million in the state budget, but there is a need to double this amount to meet the growing demand.
Jay Worrall, President of Helping Harvest Food Bank, stressed the significance of the program for state food banks, which are facing resource shortages to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations. The PASS program has the potential to revolutionize the operations of food banks nationwide.
Ed Weaver, owner of Weaver's Orchards and a participating vendor in the PASS program, shared his firsthand experience of the program's benefits, including assistance with labor, containers, and transportation. Weaver expressed appreciation for the efficient system that ensures food reaches those in need, saving costs and making a positive impact on the community.
The event concluded with Weaver offering tours of the orchard's operations to attendees, further showcasing the practical implementation of the PASS program.
Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy, Harvesting