TEFAP and SNAP key tools to combat hunger

Rising grocery prices have led to increased food insecurity for over 80,000 individuals facing hunger in northwest Pennsylvania. Stagnant wages have exacerbated the problem, with low-income households already spending 30% of their budgets on food. Food banks, like the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, are striving to meet the surging demand, particularly in rural areas.

The pandemic-era Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments were crucial for those in need, but when these benefits ended in February 2023, many food distribution lines doubled in size. Inflation and rising costs have further strained food banks, making it difficult to provide essential support.

One key solution is to bolster The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federal nutrition program that distributes U.S.-grown food to food banks and families facing hunger. TEFAP constitutes a significant portion of Second Harvest's food supply, providing 15% of the food distributed in the past year. With increased TEFAP funding, more nutritious food, including fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, poultry, and dairy products, can reach families in need.

In the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill, federal lawmakers, including U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman and U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Glenn Thompson, have an opportunity to strengthen funding for TEFAP food purchases. This investment would help food banks like Second Harvest provide a wider range of healthy foods to vulnerable communities. Additionally, increased funding can assist food banks in covering the rising costs of storing and transporting TEFAP foods, which have become more expensive.

Simultaneously, policymakers should prioritize supporting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by enacting strong, permanent, and sustainable provisions. SNAP is the nation's most effective federal food program, offering timely and targeted benefits that exclusively cover food expenses. By enhancing both TEFAP and SNAP, Congress can take significant steps toward eliminating hunger in the United States.

It is crucial for lawmakers to address the issue of food affordability and accessibility, ensuring that no one goes hungry due to financial constraints. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania calls on the community to reach out to their representatives, urging them to support a robust 2023 Farm Bill that strengthens these essential programs and helps combat hunger.
 

Photo Credit: SNAP