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Committee questions adequacy of proposed food‑assistance increases; department points to Medicaid waiver nutrition opportunities
Summary
The governor’s budget proposes $4 million increases each to the Pennsylvania Agriculture Surplus System (PASS) and the state food purchase program. Lawmakers said those amounts fall short of needs; the secretary pointed to a Section 1115 Medicaid waiver nutrition provision and federal purchases that supplement state efforts.
Representatives pressed Agriculture Secretary Redding on whether the governor’s proposed increases to state food‑assistance lines are sufficient to meet rising need.
Representative Fleming asked whether a $4,000,000 increase to the Pennsylvania Agriculture Surplus System (PASS) and a separate $4,000,000 increase to the core State Food Purchase Program would be enough to meet demand. Fleming and others warned food insecurity remains high and urged more support.
Redding said the…
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