Keystone Today

The Senior Food Box Program is feeding 20% more older Pennsylvanians than last year, thanks to work done by the Department of Agriculture to increase awareness of eligibility, according to a release by Gov. Tom Wolf's office.

“Fighting hunger has been a top priority for Frances and me from day one,” Wolf said. “I’m incredibly proud of the work that the departments of Agriculture and Aging have done to revitalize this program that ensures our older Pennsylvanians don’t have to choose between paying for utilities or putting food on the table.”

Last May there were 300,000 Pennsylvania seniors eligible for the food assistance program but only 28,000 were using it. These low numbers nearly led to the program being cut significantly, but the Department of Agriculture instead worked with Hunger-Free Pennsylvania to increase awareness and accessibility to ensure that the state’s elderly are informed and fed.

“One hungry older Pennsylvanian is one too many. Through valued partnerships, we’re working towards an ultimate goal of eliminating hunger,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “And I’m proud to say, we’re making progress for our seniors. The Senior Food Box Program is now more accessible thanks to a rebranding and new partnerships. I hope that with easier access to reliable food on the table, we’re taking stress off the table.”

The first step for the Department of Agriculture, in May 2021, was to rename the program which was formerly called the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. They then removed income verification requirements that caused barriers. First Lady Frances Wolf hosted a listening session for recommendations and suggestions from those receiving the box already. The department also partnered with DoorDash so they can get mostly food box delivery for free. It is in 15 counties including Bucks, Columbia, Dauphin, Erie, Fayette, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Montgomery, Montour, Philadelphia, Washington, Westmoreland and York. 

The Department of Agriculture also partnered with the Department of Aging and the PACE Prescription Assistance Program call center to call them and enroll seniors. More than 20,000 applications have been processed.

“Access to nutritional foods for older adults is critical to help support their health, well-being and independence," Secretary of Aging Robert Torres said. "The Department of Aging’s partnership with the Department of Agriculture is utilizing the PACE Program’s call center operation and a facilitated application process that make it easy for seniors who are enrolled in PACE to take advantage of other programs for which they may also be eligible, like the Senior Food Box. People call PACE because they know they get to talk with someone who cares and who will help them. By working together with our state and community partners, we are helping more older adults overcome challenges with food insecurity and healthy eating.”