JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry participated in a virtual advocacy meeting with US Senator Bob Casey and representatives from Congressman Mike Doyle.
Senator Casey sat in to listen about the importance of strengthening Federal Nutrition programs and the needs that our pantry is seeing each day. We learned about Senator Casey’s priorities for legislation and stressed the importance of a strong safety net to prevent food insecurity.
During the meeting with Congressman Doyle’s legislative assistant Joseph Telano, the conversation addressed extending child nutrition waivers and the 2023 Farm Bill, which has an impact on food security in the US and sustainable agriculture. We also addressed the need to diversify USDA commodities to include kosher and halal meats, a need further intensified by rising food costs.
JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, Feeding PA and Just Harvest all showed their concerns during the meeting to seek more support to tackle food insecurity with federal nutrition program assistance.