Title
Authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings to examine the impacts of the current crisis threatening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) on food and nutrition security in Philadelphia, including barriers to accessing benefits, disruptions to nutrition education and outreach, consequences for residents, and opportunities for coordinated City and community response.
Body
WHEREAS, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation's most significant anti-hunger program, providing essential support to low-income individuals and families to purchase food and maintain access to adequate nutrition; and
WHEREAS, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) complements SNAP by providing nutrition education, resources, and outreach to promote healthy eating and active living among SNAP eligible populations; and
WHEREAS, Throughout 2025, there has been a growing and unprecedented threat to SNAP and SNAP-Ed programs. In July 2025, Congress passed a Budget Reconciliation bill that included major changes to these programs, including stricter work requirements, reduced eligibility, funding cuts, and the elimination of funding for SNAP-Ed. In addition, the federal government shutdown that began on October 1 has put benefits at further risk, with nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians-including approximately 500,000 Philadelphia residents projected to lose access to SNAP benefits in November if the shutdown continues; and
WHEREAS, Local organizations and service providers report significant increases in demand for emergency food assistance over the past few years, as well as strain on food banks, pantries, and community partners who are attempting to fill the gap; and
WHEREAS, The disruption to the SNAP-Ed program has limited the capacity of community-based educators and organizations to conduct nutrition education and outreac...
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