Pennsylvania Receives $42 Million for School Meals, Food Banks

by Anthony Hennen

Pennsylvania is set to receive almost $42 million in federal funds to offset rising prices of food for school meals.

States will receive about $1.3 billion for school meals overall, and another $1 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for food banks and community kitchens.

“American agriculture has continued to be resilient in the face of significant and unpredictable challenges,” Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a press release. “Today’s comprehensive set of investments will help producers by increasing commodity purchases for schools and emergency food providers and supporting expanded domestic fertilizer capacity to lower costs.”

Pennsylvania’s $41.5 million allocation isn’t the first of its kind either. In 2022, The USDA issued three rounds of funding, with the September grant giving the commonwealth another $16.5 million.

“Circumstances in local communities remain unpredictable and economically uncertain, with supply chains for food and labor stressed and at times disrupted,” the USDA noted.

Funds can be used to purchase food produced in America.

Of the $1 billion for food banks and community kitchens, Pennsylvania will receive $38 million.

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Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America’s Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region.
Photo “Students Having Lunch” by Katerina Holmes.