Rep. Pashinski's committee addresses food waste and food insecurity
Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee chair, convened what he called "a critical informational meeting" at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative in Philadelphia to address the interconnected issues of food waste and food insecurity.
Representatives from state agencies, private businesses and nonprofit organizations gathered to discuss ongoing efforts to make Pennsylvania's food systems more efficient and ensure that surplus food reaches those in need.
"In a country and commonwealth abundant with high-quality, nutritious food, it is unconscionable that so much is wasted," Pashinski said. "Thankfully, organizations, private businesses and our state government are all stepping up to take on these interconnected issues."
By encouraging increased efficiency and innovation to reduce food waste and keep Pennsylvania families fed, Pashinski said the committee is also supporting PA farmers and producers.
"I thank all our speakers for sharing their expertise with the committee, and I look forward to working together to ensure edible food ends up on Pennsylvanians' plates and not our landfills," Pashinski said.
According to Feeding Pennsylvania, one in eight Pennsylvanians — including one in six children — faces hunger. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 30% to 40% of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted — food that could otherwise help feed families.
Pashinski said the committee examined strategies to bridge this gap and maximize the impact of food rescue and redistribution efforts.
Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Philadelphia, said most people have no clue how wasted food can be used to help with food insecurity.
"A majority of the wasted food comes from the retail level, so we need to work with retailers, making sure they know that there are incentives for them to donate safe and healthy food," Parker said. "While food insecurity is a worldwide issue, solving it requires grassroots advocacy, establishing relationships with private retailers and educating them through conversation."
Pashinski said the meeting highlighted the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors in tackling these challenges.
Participants discussed:
—Food rescue efforts that redirect surplus food to food banks or, when no longer edible, repurpose it for composting, animal feed or organic fertilizers to support Pennsylvania farms.
—Food Bucks, an initiative that increases nutrition incentives for SNAP recipients, providing extra dollars when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables.
—Innovative strategies from food merchants to prevent waste at the source through efficiency improvements, donations and redistribution programs.
The Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture and Human Services also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting food security initiatives and streamlining processes to minimize waste.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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