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Feeding Pennsylvania, business groups warn of rising hunger, urge state funding while SNAP work rules take effect
Summary
Feeding Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Chamber told the House Human Services Committee that expanded SNAP work requirements and administrative changes are increasing demand on food banks and employers; Feeding Pennsylvania requested $35 million for state food purchase and related programs while the Chamber urged simple implementation that connects beneficiaries to jobs.
Witnesses from Pennsylvania’s charitable food network and the business community told the House Human Services Committee that recent SNAP changes are already straining food banks and that state investment is needed to prevent avoidable hunger.
Ryan Prater, director of public policy at Feeding Pennsylvania, described a sharp rise in food insecurity and the role SNAP plays as the primary anti-hunger program. "For every meal food banks provide, SNAP provides nine," Prater said, and he told the committee SNAP enrollment in testimony varied by source but that the charitable network is seeing demand at or above pandemic levels.
Prater urged the General Assembly to "fully meet the DHS budget request for SNAP administration" and to increase the State Food Purchase Program. He asked for $35 million for the core state food purchase line item, $11 million for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System, and $1 million for senior food box delivery to help food banks provide healthy local food and to match private outreach funding.
"Over 80,000 Pennsylvanians have already lost benefits and more are bound to fall off the rolls as the year continues," Prater testified, a figure he used to underscore the charitable sector’s capacity gap if SNAP participation falls. Committee questioning flagged differing roll-off counts (see DHS testimony), and members requested follow-up to reconcile the numbers.
Aaron Riggleman of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry said businesses face workforce constraints and supported stronger links between SNAP, training and employment opportunities. "When designed well, work requirements are not about punishment. They are about connection," Riggleman said, while warning that any system must be "simple, clear and consistent" so employers and workforce partners can participate effectively.
Committee members pressed both witnesses on regional differences, the impact on retailers and farmers, and whether tax incentives for farm donations or incentives like Food Bucks should be expanded to promote healthy purchases. Prater said demand is up and recommended investments in outreach and SNAP employment-and-training programs to avoid shifting even more burden onto the charitable sector.
There were no votes or formal outcomes associated with the testimony; witnesses asked the committee to consider budget items and implementation support during forthcoming appropriations work. The committee will accept follow-up questions and requested written materials on counts and program integration.
