Pa. House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee holds public meeting on reducing food waste and insecurity
House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee March 6, 2025 | 3:19 PM
PHILADELPHIA, March 6 – The Pennsylvania House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee convened a critical informational meeting at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative today to address the interconnected issues of food waste and food insecurity.
Representatives from state agencies, private businesses and nonprofit organizations gathered to discuss ongoing efforts to make Pennsylvania’s food systems more efficient and ensure that surplus food reaches those in need.
“As we heard today, food insecurity and waste hurt our residents, our economy and our environment,” said House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Chair Eddie Day Pashinski. “In a country and commonwealth abundant with high-quality, nutritious food, it is unconscionable that so much is wasted. Thankfully, organizations, private businesses and our state government are all stepping up to take on these interconnected issues.
“By encouraging increased efficiency and innovation to reduce food waste and keep our PA families fed, we are also supporting our farmers and producers. I thank all our speakers for sharing their expertise with the committee, and I look forward to working together to ensure edible food ends up on Pennsylvanians’ plates and not our landfills.”
According to Feeding Pennsylvania, one in eight Pennsylvanians – including one in six children – faces hunger. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 30% to 40% of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted – food that could otherwise help feed families. The committee examined strategies to bridge this gap and maximize the impact of food rescue and redistribution efforts.
“Most people have no clue how wasted food can be used to help with food insecurity. A majority of the wasted food comes from the retail level, so we need to work with retailers, making sure they know that there are incentives for them to donate safe and healthy food,” said state Rep. Darisha Parker, D-Phila. “While food insecurity is a worldwide issue, solving it requires grassroot advocacy, establishing relationships with private retailers and educating them through conversation.”
The MARC, a member-led regional produce cooperative of Feeding America Food Banks, plays a vital role in reducing food waste while supporting hunger relief. By working with farmers, wholesalers and importers, MARC rescues surplus food and distributes it to food banks from Maine to Virginia, ensuring that excess product is put to good use rather than wasted.
"As we continue to confront food insecurity, it is crucial to recognize that reducing food waste is a key component of solving this issue,” said Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. “By fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, we can create a more sustainable and equitable food system in Pennsylvania. Together, we can ensure that surplus food is repurposed for the benefit of our communities, while also supporting our local farmers and economy. I am proud to work alongside my colleagues and stakeholders to help end hunger and prevent unnecessary waste in our state."
The meeting highlighted the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors in tackling these challenges. Participants discussed:
- Food rescue efforts that redirect surplus food to food banks or, when no longer edible, repurpose it for composting, animal feed or organic fertilizers to support Pennsylvania farms.
- Food Bucks, an initiative that increases nutrition incentives for SNAP recipients, providing extra dollars when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Innovative strategies from food merchants to prevent waste at the source through efficiency improvements, donations and redistribution programs.
The Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture and Human Services also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting food security initiatives and streamlining processes to minimize waste.