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: Food banks and food pantries can be found using this map. The WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs which provide vouchers to be spent at participating farmers markets in the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Senior Food Box Program provides eligible seniors with a monthly box of food to supplement regular groceries, the box can be delivered by DoorDash in select areas. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, provides benefits to purchase food at grocery stores and supermarkets. Congregate and Home-Delivered meals are nutritious meals available to Pennsylvanians 60 years of age or older and are delivered directly to eligible individuals’ homes, more information on these meals is available through County Area Agencies on Aging. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides vouchers to be redeemed at grocery stores for specific food items. The Summer Meals Program provides nutritious meals to children when school is not in session. 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.
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.