5 days ago
Rep. Pashinski bill providing healthy eating, stretching SNAP dollars passes House
Jun. 3—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski said on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program would support PA's agricultural economy while simultaneously increasing access to nutritious food at a time when many Pennsylvanians' budgets are tight.
Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, celebrated the passage of his legislation establishing a statewide program to provide benefit incentives — called Food Bucks — to SNAP recipients purchasing qualifying fruits and vegetables.
Rep. Pashinski said under the Pennsylvania Food Bucks program established by H.B. 1096, a Pennsylvania nonprofit would administer the program, providing benefit incentives of no less than 40 cents for each dollar a SNAP participant spends on certain healthy foods at participating retailers.
Rep. Pashinski said that similar programs have been passed and implemented in other states and have been proven to improve diets through increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
"SNAP nutrition incentive programs like this can reduce hunger, support local farmers and retailers, and improve the health of Pennsylvanians," Rep. Pashinski said. "I thank my colleagues for ensuring that Pennsylvania families who rely on SNAP have more consistent access to the essential fruits and vegetables needed for balanced nutrition and a healthy life."
The incentives — often taking the form of a paper or digital coupon issued when a shopper pays with SNAP/EBT — would allow shoppers to purchase additional fruits and vegetables at participating food retailers.
In addition to any state funds allocated, Rep. Pashinski said matching dollars may be available from the federal government to stretch these investments even further.
House Bill 1096 is supported by Feeding Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, and The Food Trust — a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to delicious, nutritious food for all.
"The Pennsylvania Food Bucks program would be a game-changer for our Commonwealth — delivering a triple win for families, farmers and the economy," said Mark Edwards, president and CEO, The Food Trust. "Pennsylvania's farmers stand to gain significantly — as families fill their tables with fresh, local food, farmers expand their customer base, increase revenue and scale up production."
"The PA Food Bucks Program is a win for food retailers and families," said Alex Baloga, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. "It drives produce sales, increases SNAP customer traffic, and strengthens relationships between stores and their communities."
Julie Bancroft, CEO, Feeding Pennsylvania, said, "Ensuring children, seniors and families have access to adequate nutrition is not a partisan issue. Access to healthy food items like fruits and vegetables is proven to reduce long-term health care costs, increase lifetime earnings, and will make Pennsylvania a healthier, better place to live."
House Bill 1096 moves to the state Senate for further consideration.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
