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%.

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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:

Details

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.

NewsHeidi Winkler