Join Second Harvest in Urging Congress to Pass a Strong 2024 Farm Bill
BREAKING: New Farm Bill text has been released by House Agriculture Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson. The text, though still subject to change, suggests some improvements for programs supporting our food bank and communities, but many proposals for critical federal nutrition programs fall short of the needs of our neighbors and families facing hunger. We support Feeding Pennsylvania’s statement on the matter. Read Feeding Pennsylvania’s statement here.
Now, more than ever, your help is needed to ensure the 2024 Farm Bill gets the support it deserves. This comprehensive piece of legislation—that Congress reauthorizes every five years—funds programs that help provide food for people facing hunger.
Every year, Second Harvest helps tens of thousands of food-insecure northwest PA residents gain access to the nutritious food they need to thrive. At the same time, we advocate for policies and important nutrition programs that are critical to our work, some of which are included in the farm bill.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a cornerstone for Second Harvest’s food supply, and along with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is one of our best tools for addressing hunger in northwest PA. TEFAP, SNAP, and the Commodity Supplemental Nutrition Program (CSFP, also know as the Senior Food Box Program) are three critical nutrition programs included in the farm bill each year.
In the coming months, Congress will be debating the provisions of the 2024 Farm Bill. Especially as groceries become more expensive and supply chain disruptions continue, Second Harvest needs more support to continue providing healthy meals for our neighbors facing hunger.
Now is the time to make our voices heard. By taking action and supporting these vital programs in a strong 2024 Farm Bill, we can help build a brighter and more equitable future for all, in our community and others like it across the U.S.
TAKE ACTION
OUR 2024 FARM BILL PRIORITIES
- Increase funding for TEFAP food purchases. A steady, continuous stream of TEFAP foods is essential to help ensure Second Harvest and other food banks can continue serving everyone facing hunger in their communities.
- Increase funding for TEFAP storage and distribution and continue funding TEFAP infrastructure grants. These funds will help Second Harvest and other food banks offset the cost of storing and transporting USDA foods, especially in rural communities. They will help cover expenses like refrigeration and fuel.
- Increase funding and streamline state participation in the TEFAP Farm to Food Bank Program by removing the state match and allowing states to prioritize projects for donated food or food purchased at low cost from local growers and producers.
- Increase SNAP’s purchasing power by basing SNAP benefits on the Low-Cost Food Plan to bring benefit amounts in line with grocery prices and need.
- Simplify and streamline SNAP eligibility and enrollment processes to improve access for seniors, college students, immigrants and other groups who face barriers to participating in the program.
- End SNAP’s three-month time limit for able-bodied adults without dependents and adequately fund and improve state employment and training programs. This will help ensure people have the food and training opportunities they need to get back on their feet.
- Create parity in food assistance for U.S. territories by allowing them to transition from capped Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) block grants to full participation in SNAP.
- Ensure sovereignty for Native communities by allowing tribal governments to administer federal nutrition programs and allowing SNAP participants to also receive benefits through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- Reauthorize and streamline reporting for CSFP to support the nutrition needs of seniors.
For questions about the farm bill and how you can take action, contact Second Harvest’s Advocacy Coordinator at (814) 459-3663 ext. 122 or email advocate@nwpafoodbank.org.
