News

June 16, 2022

Expanded Food Assistance Eligibility for Families Facing Food Insecurity

More Pennsylvanians experiencing food insecurity are now eligible for support from Pennsylvania’s network of food banks and pantries. Income eligibility for both the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded programs administered at the state level, have been raised from 150% of the USDA-established poverty level to 185%.

About

The income eligibility increase allows Pennsylvania’s charitable food system to serve more food insecure individuals who make just above the current income limit. It also brings the SFPP and TEFAP in line with other food assistance programs such as SNAP, reduced-price school breakfast and lunches provided through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

Programs

Pennsylvanians experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to explore the following programs:

More Information

Details of the new regulation and income requirements can be found in the PA Bulletin.

Find resources for local food assistance and learn more about the Wolf Administration’s steps to reduce food insecurity in Pennsylvania at agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity.

News

May 10, 2022

WIC Family Engagement Listening Session

Thriving PA, in collaboration with Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, Allies for Children, United Way of Pennsylvania, Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and Pennsylvania’s Prenatal-to-Age-Three Collaborative, is interested in engaging communities to hear from women, families, and present and former clients of the Pennsylvania Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Present and former clients of WIC are invited to a Family Engagement Listening Session on Monday, May 23, from 6 – 8 p.m.

At this event, participants will have the opportunity to talk about their experience with WIC in a small group setting and completely virtual. For decades WIC participation has been declining in Pennsylvania. Thriving PA wants to hear about the barriers and challenges you faced while accessing the program, as well as solutions that would make your experience more valuable.

The first 25 registrants will get a $25 gift card for their time. Register now.