Every month, SNAP brings more than $365 million in cash benefits that can only be used on food – supporting the entire food supply chain, including more than 10,000 grocers, and food retailers and Pennsylvania’s nearly 50,000 farm families.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service found that for every $1 billion issued in federal SNAP benefits, our economy grows by $1.54 billion through job retention and creation and income for farmers and other food producers.
State College, PA – Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding stood with Pennsylvania State Grange President Matt Espenshade and Candy Wasson of Wasson’s Farm and Market to call out the critical role Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits play in supporting Pennsylvania farms, grocery industry jobs, and families, especially in rural Pennsylvania.
Governor Josh Shapiro has made it clear that Pennsylvania cannot replace the billions that would be lost if Congress eliminates these funds.
“Radical SNAP reductions would hurt two million Pennsylvanians struggling to put healthy food on their tables,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “It would also be a direct blow to the farm families who supply grocers and farm markets, and the families of 12,000 Pennsylvanians who work in grocery industry jobs across the state directly supported by SNAP spending. The Shapiro Administration is doing our part, investing to see that no family goes hungry in Pennsylvania. We are calling on Congress to keep its promises and remember their commitments to Pennsylvania farmers, families, and businesses.”
SNAP is a food assistance program helping nearly two million Pennsylvanians — including families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities — buy groceries and put food on the table. In December 2024, SNAP provided $366,850,460 in federally funded food assistance benefits that support grocers, food retailers, and Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry.
“SNAP helps people meet one of our most essential needs – allowing them to participate fully in work and school and live healthier. Should these proposals to change SNAP become law, vulnerable children, people with disabilities, older Pennsylvanians, and many others would see their access to food at risk,” said Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Executive Deputy Secretary Andrew Barnes. “Congress’ proposed changes would fundamentally destabilize this program that helps both our communities and our economy. These changes are not fiscally responsible – they will only disrupt our Commonwealth’s economy, workforce, and charitable food network and cause thousands of Pennsylvanians to go hungry.”
In May 2025, there were 1,974,889 Pennsylvanians receiving SNAP benefits, including 8,969 in Centre County. SNAP recipients accounted for about $1.8 million in purchases at Pennsylvania farmers markets from June 1, 2024 to June 1, 2025.
The Pennsylvania State Grange, which represents the interests of rural families, has been actively advocating against cuts to SNAP, which they see as an indirect assault on Pennsylvania’s number one industry, agriculture.
“The proposed funding cuts to SNAP will not just impact our friends and neighbors in need who use these credits to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, but the impact to Pennsylvania agriculture is equally concerning,” Pennsylvania State Grange President Matt Espenshade said. “There are close to 50,000 farms in Pennsylvania, and many SNAP recipients shop locally at farmers markets and other agribusinesses. The potential impact these cuts could have on their bottom line, and ultimately our state economy, should have every Pennsylvanian truly concerned.”
The Shapiro Administration remains committed to supporting Pennsylvania families who are struggling with food insecurity, while standing up for our farmers and those throughout our agriculture and food industry, who also bear the brunt of federal funding cuts.
Governor Josh Shapiro filed suit against the federal government for the termination of $13 million for the 2025 Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA25), which provides federal funding to states to purchase food from local farmers for distribution through food banks to families at risk of hunger. Earlier this week, Governor Shapiro stood united with the four bipartisan chairs of General Assembly Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees, who recently sent a joint letter to Congress urging federal officials to restore the funding.
Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposes commonsense investments supporting low-income families, farmers, and our charitable food system. These investments stimulate business growth and improve access to fresh food in Pennsylvania communities where fresh, local food is often scarce.
Governor Shapiro also proposed increases of $4 million to the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System and $4 million to the State Food Purchase Program, both programs that connect low-income Pennsylvanians with healthy, local food through 14 food banks across the state. These proposed increases would bring the total for these programs to $34.7 million. The Governor is also championing initiatives that reduce food insecurity by tackling its root causes, including raising the minimum wage and cutting costs for Pennsylvanians.
Learn more about the commonsense investments in the Governor’s 2025-26 budget proposal at shapirobudget.pa.gov and how the Shapiro Administration is supporting Pennsylvania’s farmers.
For more details on the 310,000 Pennsylvanians who would lose Medicaid coverage and the 144,000 Pennsylvanians on SNAP who risk losing access to food assistance statewide, visit FACT SHEET: How Many Pennsylvanians Will Lose Medicaid and SNAP Benefits As a Result of Congressional Republicans’ Reconciliation Bill
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