The Shapiro Administration announced an increase in federal support for food availability for low-income seniors through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program of more than $8.8 million.
Pennsylvania will receive more than 17.6% of the $50 million in American Rescue Plan grants allocated to 47 states in 2023 and 2024 to improve each state’s program.
Who Is Eligible For Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program?
Based on the USDA’s recent success, the USDA raised the amount of low-income senior Pennsylvanians who can receive Senior Food Boxes. Through the federally financed initiative, the department will be able to deliver healthful food essentials to an additional 4,000 seniors.
Pennsylvania got the biggest increase of the 11 states receiving performance-based caseload increases, increasing the number of seniors treated statewide from 36,218 to 40,225.
This increase in funding for the Department of Agriculture comes at a critical moment, as more than 1.9 million Pennsylvanians, many of whom are seniors, face immediate changes to their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility due to federal and Congressional action.
Beginning March 1, 2023, these changes will result in an immediate and large drop in monthly food assistance funding.
According to Feeding America’s most current study on The State of Senior Hunger in America, 5% of Pennsylvanians aged 60 and up were food insecure, not knowing where their next meal would come from.
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SNAP Benefits Update
The Bureau of Food Assistance of the Department of Human Services administers federal and state programs and creates partnerships to increase food security throughout Pennsylvania.
The American Rescue Plan monies will allow the department to boost the value of vouchers supplied to eligible seniors to redeem for fresh, local foods through the Senior Farmers Market Program from $24 to $50.
The funding will also provide further convenience for many farm market vendors that take the vouchers, thanks to embedded QR codes that facilitate deposit.
Area Agencies on Aging distribute Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons from June through the end of September each year. Seniors who earn less than 185% of the federal poverty line are eligible.
Income levels for 2023 have not yet been determined. Vouchers can be redeemed at farm markets across the state for fresh, wholesome, locally produced foods, improving senior health through increased nutrition and the social connection that a farm market visit affords.
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