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 53,000 farms in Pennsylvania.
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.
Elliottsburg, PA – Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding emphasized the critical role Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits play in supporting Pennsylvania’s ag industry at People’s Provisions, a Perry County grocer that accepts SNAP benefits and sources entirely from local farms. Today’s event included local business leaders, farmers, and community members who amplified real concerns about the impacts that proposed federal cuts to SNAP funding will have on Pennsylvania families, farmers, and grocery businesses if Congress follows through on the current version of H.R. 1.
Governor Josh Shapiro has made it clear that Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs.
“Radical reductions in SNAP would hurt not only the two million people who receive benefits and may be temporarily struggling, but the Pennsylvania farm families, and families of those in 12,000 grocery industry jobs across the state supported by SNAP spending,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “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.
People’s Provision is an example of a grocer in a rural community where fresh food may be harder to access, but where they source products only from local farmers. Local purchases, whether by a SNAP family or any other family, provide income to farmers, the grocery store, and all of the employees whose jobs are supported by the store. In December 2024, there were 2,469 SNAP households in Perry County which spent $770,607 on food. Those purchases directly support the businesses and the farms where the food is produced.
“People’s Provisions was founded with a mission to pay our farmers equitably, while making local food more accessible to all. This is a mission that walks within incredibly thin margins," said People’s Provisions Owner and Grower Lindsay Hutchinson. “SNAP benefits kept that margin possible for us, so we did not have to make the choice between paying hard working farmers and supporting our customers. The federal funding cuts to the SNAP program directly impacts our business, as well as the 75 local farmers and food businesses that we support through our shop. Programs like SNAP ensure that ALL people in our community can have access to fresh, nutrient dense, locally grown food, and makes the most nutritious food available to those most in need."
The Shapiro Administration has remained committed to supporting Pennsylvania families who are struggling with food insecurity, while lifting our farmers and the agriculture industry. Last week, Governor Josh Shapiro filed suit against the federal government for the termination of $13 million for the Local Food Purchase Assistance 2025 Cooperative Agreement (LFPA25), which provides federal funding to states to purchase local food from regional producers for distribution through food banks to families at risk of hunger.
In his 2025-26 budget proposal, Governor Shapiro is proposing 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 $34.6 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.
Read more about commonsense investments to keep Pennsylvania agriculture competitive and thriving in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal at shapirobudget.pa.gov.
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