SFPP is a state funded program that keeps food bank and pantry shelves stocked. Funds are distributed through lead county agencies who allocate them to food pantries who can use the funds to purchase foods that their community needs. These funds are critical for pantries to adequately support their local communities. The Adams County Food Policy Council advocates for a total line item of $32 million.

PASS is a state funded program that creates new markets for farmers and producers while providing healthy, local products to the charitable food network. Thirteen local, charitable food distributors, including the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, procure foods from Pennsylvania agricultural producers, packers, and processors, using state funds to allocate food to help feed low-income Pennsylvanians in need of food assistance in all 67 counties.  The Adams County Food Policy Council advocates for a total line item of $11 million.

The Keystone Fresh Act creates a comprehensive program to expand farm-to-school initiatives in Pennsylvania by establishing three grant programs: the Fresh Schools Grant Program to reimburse school districts for purchasing local food, the Keystone Producer Grant Program to support farmers with equipment and marketing, and the Keystone Assistance Grant Program to help schools incorporate local minimally processed foods into meals. The program emphasizes equitable access by prioritizing veteran farmers, socially disadvantaged groups, new and beginning farmers, and those using sustainable agriculture practices.

The Keystone Fresh Act would also establish the Local Food Purchasing Incentive (LFPI) Grant Program- The Local Food Purchasing Incentive Grant Program will provide funding to school food authorities to buy local foods, with grant amounts ranging from $16,500 to $650,000 based on student enrollment. Schools can use these grants to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats, and other minimally processed food products, with a preference given to applicants sourcing from veteran or new farmers. The Keystone Producer Grant Program will provide funding to farms and food hubs to help them participate in school food markets, while the Keystone Assistance Grant Program will offer technical assistance and equipment grants to help schools incorporate local foods into their meal programs. The bill also establishes a Keystone Fresh Farm to School Account to fund these programs, requires biennial external evaluations of the program's effectiveness, and mandates the creation of a farm-to-school website to provide resources for schools, farmers, and community members. The goal is to increase local food purchasing in schools, support Pennsylvania agricultural producers, and provide economic and nutritional benefits to communities across the state.

Thank you to Representative Moul who championed this bill in the house! The Adams County Food Policy Council is waiting for companion legislation in the Senate.

TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low incomes by providing emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture purchases a variety of nutritious, domestically sourced and produced food, making it available to state distributing agencies. States provide the food to their local agency partners, such as food banks, which in turn distribute the food directly to the public or to local organizations like food pantries. The Adams County Food Policy Council advocates for reauthorization and doubling of mandatory TEFAP funds ($100 million increase), reauthorization of annual discretionary funding for TEFAP infrastructure grants, and increase the TEFAP Farm to Food Bank program.

SNAP, previously known as Food Stamps, is the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program. It provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford food for their families. Funds are loaded onto Electronic Benefit Cards and are used just like a debit card to purchase eligible foods. According to the most recent data available as of February 2026, approximately 1.76 million Pennsylvanians participate in SNAP, nearly 8,000 of these individuals reside in Adams County. The Adams County Food Policy Council advocates for the protection of SNAP benefits and oppose any shift of costs onto the state and changes to the Thrifty Food Plan.

WIC is a federally funded program that provides access to healthy foods and personalized nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to other services. WIC is available to eligible pregnant, recently pregnant, breastfeeding people, infants and children under five years old. Funds are loaded onto Electronic Benefit Cards and used just like a debit card to purchase eligible foods. The Adams County Food Policy Council advocates for continued investment in WIC.

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act is not currently a program included in the farm bill, so the Adams County Food Policy Council is advocating for it to become a mandatory funded program.

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act authorizes the purchase of unprocessed or minimally processed local foods, with at least 25% of annual purchases coming from small, mid-size, beginning, or veteran farmers. The program emphasizes technical assistance for producers and food distribution, with strict limits on administrative expenses and a requirement that at least 50% of technical assistance funds be used for producer support, ensuring that local food systems are strengthened and equitable economic opportunities are expanded.