PFMA Urges Congressional Delegation to Reopen Government and Protect SNAP Benefits
Harrisburg, PA (October 2025) — The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has urged members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to take immediate action to reopen the federal government and prevent disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In a letter sent Tuesday, PFMA President and CEO Alex Baloga warned that delayed November SNAP benefits could create “an operational nightmare” for food retailers and distributors across the Commonwealth. The letter cites a recent USDA directive instructing state agencies to hold November issuance files until further notice due to insufficient federal funding.
“Our members are the backbone of the SNAP delivery system,” Baloga wrote. “A delayed and uncertain benefit issuance schedule would cause supply chain shocks, cash flow problems for small stores, and confusion at the register for customers who depend on these benefits to feed their families.”
Baloga emphasized that Pennsylvania’s already complex SNAP distribution schedule leaves little room for disruption. A sudden change in benefit timing, he said, would make accurate demand forecasting impossible and could leave shelves bare of fresh foods like produce, dairy, and meat.
In a statement following the letter, Baloga added:
“SNAP isn’t just a safety net for families, it’s a stabilizing force for local economies. If benefits are delayed, the effects will ripple through every corner of Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry. Congress must act now to restore operations and protect access to food for millions of people.”
PFMA represents grocery stores, convenience stores, wholesalers, consumer packaged goods companies, lottery and gaming organizations, and other food and beverage businesses throughout Pennsylvania. The association advocates for policies that strengthen the food supply chain and ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to safe, affordable food.
Read PFMA’s Letter to the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation
Alex Baloga
PFMA, President & CEO
Baloga leads PFMA’s day-to-day operations and helps implement its strategic vision, working with the board of directors, of which he is a member. He leads PFMA’s government relations efforts at the local, state and federal levels.
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 350,000 Pennsylvanians. For more information on PFMA, visit pfma.org.
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