The Senate Democratic Policy Committee recently held a virtual public hearing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state’s food supply chain.
As a result of the statewide shutdown order, residents purchased more food from grocery stores and often stockpiled out of fear they would be quarantined for two weeks because of exposure to COVID-19.
The stay-at-home order also resulted in economic uncertainty, the loss of subsidized school meals, and a significant drop in food orders from restaurants, schools, and other institutions.
Farmers were disposing of produce, eggs, and milk, according to the Reading Eagle. The farmers said the food had nowhere to go.
Russell Redding, the state’s Secretary of Agriculture, testified that the percentage of Pennsylvanians experiencing hunger will increase this year to 15.9 percent, according to Feeding America projections.
Childhood hunger is projected to jump to 23.8 percent, he said.
The hearing was held at the request of Sens. Maria Collett (D- Bucks/Montgomery) and Judy Schwank (D- Berks).
“A number of businesses in my district, from meat producers to commercial equipment suppliers to linen services — have shared stories about the far-reaching ripple effects of disruptions in the food chain — and that is one of the main reasons I fought for this hearing today,” Collett said.