HARRISBURG, PA (June 3, 2025) — The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) is proud to announce the advancement of four PFMA supported bills aimed at strengthening food access and supporting Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry. Each bill passed the Pennsylvania House with bipartisan support and now awaits Senate consideration.
“These legislative efforts are practical, commonsense ways to help food retailers fight hunger, reduce waste, and better serve their communities,” said Alex Baloga, President & CEO of PFMA. “We’re grateful to the lawmakers who championed these initiatives and excited to work with the Senate to keep the momentum going.”
- HB 615 – Limited Liability for Donated Food: Introduced by Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia), this bill would expand civil and criminal liability protections for food donations to explicitly include food that has passed its manufacturer’s recommended label date but remains safe to eat. Clarifying these protections would reduce food waste and increase food donations.
- HB 749 – SNAP Payment Distribution Study: Sponsored by Rep. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin), this bill directs the Department of Human Services to study and recommend improvements to the current SNAP distribution schedule. More consistent and efficient payment timing would better serve both SNAP recipients and the businesses that support them.
- HB 764 – Fresh Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization: Introduced by Rep. Danilo Burgos (D-Philadelphia), this bill would reauthorize funding for the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which helps food retailers expand or improve operations in low- and moderate-income communities. This targeted investment helps increase access to nutritious food in underserved areas.
- HB 1096 – PA Food Bucks Program: Introduced by Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne), this bill would create a PA Food Bucks program that provides 40 cents in additional purchasing power for every $1 of SNAP benefits spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at eligible retailers—promoting healthier diets while supporting farmers and stores.
PFMA looks forward to working with the Pennsylvania Senate to advance these critical measures.
Big win for healthy food access in PA. HB 1096, introduced by Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, creates the PA Food Bucks Program, giving SNAP families 40 cents extra for every $1 spent on fresh fruits and veggies. It’s a boost for grocers, farmers, and families alike.
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About PFMA
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, a statewide trade association, advocates the views of more than 600 convenience stores, supermarkets, independent grocers, wholesalers and consumer product vendors. PFMA members operate more than 3,000 stores and employ more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians. For more information on PFMA, visit pfma.org.
