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Local Produce for Local Food Banks

MONTROSE — In Harrisburg, the Republicans and Democratic Governor Tom Wolf have still not agreed on a budget for Pennsylvania. Among the items in the gove...
susq food bank

MONTROSE -- In Harrisburg, the Republicans and Democratic Governor Tom Wolf have still not agreed on a budget for Pennsylvania.

Among the items in the governor's proposed budget: $3 million to help connect local farmers with local food banks.

Russell Redding, the Secretary of Agriculture, spent the morning at Trehab Food Bank near Montrose.

The food bank helps service about 500 families a month across Susquehanna County. Under the proposed "Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System, or "PASS" as it's called, food banks like that one would receive more local products from nearby farmers.

"We're always looking for sources of food and one of the things that concerns me is waste," said Lynn Senick, food bank coordinator.

"The thought is to really find a way to connect local production and how does that feed into the larger charitable food system," said Redding.

At the food bank is a garden. Under the proposed program, the secretary told Newswatch16 the garden would metaphorically get a lot bigger.

"The quicker you can get things from a producer to a food bank, it cuts down on waste and it also helps people in that local community," Senick added.

People at the food bank say the idea has the potential to go a long way.

"It's a big help because prices are so high in the store," said Barbara Lamphere of South Montrose. "You can't even afford to buy fresh stuff."

Funding for the program would come from the state's general fund. That's if the governor's budget passes with the appropriation in place already.

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