Pennsylvania lawmakers working to tackle food insecurity

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Meals insecurity is nice in Pennsylvania, and with inflation, it continues to rise. 

Whereas costs rise, jobs proceed to pay the identical, forcing households to dig deep into their budgets.

“We all know that each one of us are seeing rising costs on the grocery shops and the return to paying for varsity lunches is hurting the households which might be simply above the cutoff for federal free lunch applications,” state Sen. Lindsey Williams mentioned.

One in 5 folks in Pittsburgh is meals insecure, and the issue simply retains getting worse. Pennsylvania lawmakers try to make it simpler.

Simply this week, Governor Tom Wolf expanded eligibility for SNAP advantages. Beginning Oct. 1, the earnings threshold for meals stamps will enhance to 200 % of the federal poverty earnings tips.

Which means an extra 420,000 folks throughout the state will probably be eligible for SNAP advantages. State officers say they’re going to obtain on common $63 a month for meals.

Some state lawmakers additionally wish to make free breakfast a everlasting program in colleges.

“The varsity cafeteria turns into a classroom the place vitamin, gardening and sustainability could be taught,” Williams mentioned.

Williams and state Sen. Emily Kinkead put ahead a invoice that may dedicate $275 million of the state’s annual funds to maintain the common free breakfast program and add free lunches to the plan.

“Guaranteeing each scholar has entry to breakfast and lunch with no disgrace or stigma is among the most typical sense methods we may also help our youngsters be able to be taught each single day,” Williams mentioned.

It is one thing they are saying would not take up a lot of the funds and would have rapid general well being advantages for college students, whereas additionally taking the monetary burden off dad and mom.