New Report Shows Pennsylvania Food Insecurity Up 44% Since 2021, Record Demand at Local Food Pantries Amidst Public Policy Changes & Affordability Concerns

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank releases ‘2026 Food Insecurity in Pennsylvania’ report findings; Urges community members, business leaders and policymakers to take action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Evelyn Fonseca-Beltran, 717-724-3199, efonseca@centralpafoodbank.org

Jason Kirsch, APR, 717-857-5645, jkirsch@prworksinc.com

Lauren Duff, 717-257-9855, lduff@feedingpa.org

HARRISBURG, PA (September 22, 2026) – Today, during a Hunger Action Month event, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank released its “2026 Food Insecurity in Pennsylvania” report, detailing a sharp rise in food insecurity across the Commonwealth occurring amidst a difficult economic and policy environment, including price inflation, federal benefit reductions, and significant drops to federal food supplies.

According to the report’s key findings:

Widespread Impact: More than 1.76 million Pennsylvanians (nearly 1 in 7 residents or 13.5%) faced food insecurity as of 2024, representing a 44% increase statewide since 2021.

Disproportionate Impact on Children: Children remain the most vulnerable age group, with 1 in 5 Pennsylvania children (19.3% or 507,000 children) experiencing uncertain or limited access to food, making them 60% more likely to face hunger than adults.

Disparities Across Geography & Demographics: Child food insecurity rates top 20% in nearly half of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Furthermore, Black (27%) and Hispanic (29%) Pennsylvanians are more than 2.5 times more likely to experience food insecurity than non-Hispanic white residents (10%), although white residents make up the majority of food insecure individuals.

“In each hunger crisis, we are reminded that when people see hunger clearly, they want to help,” said Shila Ulrich, president and CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. “With the USDA discontinuing its long-running national reporting, a crisis touching millions risks becoming invisible. Research and local data are crucial to driving policy, securing resources and ensuring our neighbors are not forgotten.”

The report highlights how federal policy shifts, specifically SNAP changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July 2025 and steep reductions in other federal food programs, have placed increased burdens on families and hunger-relief organizations:

14.7% drop in SNAP participants: Over 296,000 Pennsylvanians lost SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Benefits Program) benefits between December 2024 and July 2026, with most of the drop occurring since July 2025 due in large part to eligibility and reporting changes. Children (down 13.5%) and adults (down 15.3%) have been impacted at similar rates.

9.1% increase in food pantry visits: Food pantry visits in Central Pennsylvania rose 9.1% overall since January 2025. Demand grew faster among non-SNAP households (up 10.3%) than SNAP households (up 7.0%), likely reflecting the effects of benefit loss.

54% decrease in USDA food distribution: Federal food assistance (through The Emergency Food Assistance Program and Local Food Purchase Assistance Program) to Pennsylvania dropped by 37.5 million pounds (down 54%) from fiscal years 2024 to 2026. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank lost 9.5 million pounds (down 62%).

“The human impact of federal policy decisions creates ripple effects far beyond food insecurity,” said Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania. “As federal food support drops by more than half, our state network has significantly fewer resources to meet skyrocketing demand. This data provides the essential foundation needed for state and federal advocacy to protect and reinvest in critical nutrition programs.”

While state investments through programs like the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) and the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) offset roughly a quarter of the lost federal support, local charitable food systems cannot bridge the gap alone. This is especially the case because much of the increase in state-level support was provided as an emergency response to the November 2025 federal government shutdown and delay in SNAP payments. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank urges community members, business leaders and policymakers to take action by donating, volunteering, or advocating for federal and state nutrition programs.

To read the “2026 Food Insecurity in Pennsylvania” report or learn how to get involved, visit centralpafoodbank.org.

About the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is committed to reducing hunger and improving health equity through 1,100 local partners stretching from the New York border to the Maryland line. Through strategic leadership, community partnerships, and healthy food initiatives, the Food Bank works to expand capacity and ensure every neighbor can feed their family with dignity. For more information, visit centralpafoodbank.org.

About Feeding Pennsylvania

Feeding Pennsylvania is the state association of Pennsylvania’s ten Feeding America partner food banks serving all 67 counties across the Commonwealth. Our collective efforts support member food banks in securing food and other resources, raising public awareness about food insecurity, and advocating for effective anti-hunger policies with a unified voice. Together, Feeding Pennsylvania’s partner food banks distribute more than 237 million pounds of food each year through a network of nearly 3,000 local food pantries and partner agencies. By connecting food banks, farmers and producers, policymakers, and community partners, Feeding Pennsylvania helps build a stronger food system while ensuring Pennsylvanians facing hunger have access to fresh, nutritious food.

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