Food Insecurity in Pennsylvania: 2025 Report
Key Finding
Approximately 1,620,000 Pennsylvanians (12.6%) experience food insecurity, including 462,000 children (19.1%).
Overview
Pennsylvania, the 5th most populous state with over 13 million residents, faces significant food insecurity challenges across its diverse geography. From the urban centers of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to the rural counties of the Appalachian region and northern tier, hunger persists despite the state's agricultural abundance and economic resources.
This report examines the state of food insecurity in Pennsylvania as of 2025, analyzing geographic disparities, demographic patterns, and the extensive charitable and government safety net working to address hunger across the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Statewide Statistics (2025)
| Total Population | 12,892,195 |
| Food Insecure Population | 1,620,000 (12.6%) |
| Child Food Insecurity Rate | 19.1% (462,000 children) |
| Median Household Income | $72,627 |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% |
| SNAP Participation | 1,748,000 (13.6%) |
| Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible | 44.2% of students |
| Average Meal Cost | $3.52 |
| Estimated Annual Funding Gap | $891 million |
Food Insecurity Trends (2015-2025)
Analysis
Pennsylvania's food insecurity rate has shown modest improvement but remains above the national average:
- Above national average: PA's 12.6% rate exceeds the U.S. average of 11.5%
- Pandemic recovery ongoing: Down from 14.6% peak in 2021, but still above 2019's 11.8%
- Child hunger crisis: 19.1% child food insecurity rate is among highest in the Northeast
- Regional disparities: Rates vary from 7.2% in Chester County to 18.9% in Philadelphia
- Rural challenges: Northern tier and coal region counties struggle with persistent poverty
Key factors contributing to food insecurity:
- Decline of steel, coal, and manufacturing industries in western and northeastern PA
- Urban poverty concentrated in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, and Allentown
- Rural economic challenges in northern tier counties
- Rising housing costs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros
- Inflation affecting food prices (up 18% since 2021)
- SNAP emergency allotment expiration in 2023
Food Insecurity by Pennsylvania Region
Pennsylvania's 67 counties show dramatic variation in food security:
| Region/County | Population | Food Insecurity Rate | Food Insecure People | Child FI Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern PA / Philadelphia Suburbs (Lowest Rates) | ||||
| Chester County | 535,000 | 7.2% | 38,500 | 11.8% |
| Montgomery County | 858,000 | 7.9% | 67,800 | 12.6% |
| Bucks County | 646,000 | 8.4% | 54,300 | 13.4% |
| Philadelphia Metro Area (Highest Urban Rates) | ||||
| Philadelphia County | 1,584,000 | 18.9% | 299,400 | 26.8% |
| Delaware County | 576,000 | 11.2% | 64,500 | 17.4% |
| Pittsburgh Metro / Southwest PA | ||||
| Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) | 1,250,000 | 11.8% | 147,500 | 18.2% |
| Westmoreland County | 353,000 | 10.9% | 38,500 | 16.8% |
| Fayette County | 128,000 | 15.7% | 20,100 | 23.4% |
| Lehigh Valley / Northeast PA | ||||
| Lehigh County (Allentown) | 374,000 | 12.4% | 46,400 | 19.1% |
| Northampton County | 312,000 | 10.7% | 33,400 | 16.5% |
| Berks County (Reading) | 428,000 | 13.6% | 58,200 | 20.8% |
| Luzerne County (Wilkes-Barre) | 325,000 | 13.2% | 42,900 | 19.7% |
| Central PA | ||||
| Dauphin County (Harrisburg) | 286,000 | 11.6% | 33,200 | 17.9% |
| Lancaster County | 555,000 | 9.8% | 54,400 | 15.2% |
| York County | 456,000 | 10.4% | 47,400 | 16.1% |
| Northern Tier / Coal Region (High Rural Rates) | ||||
| Cameron County | 4,500 | 16.8% | 760 | 24.2% |
| Forest County | 7,000 | 16.3% | 1,140 | 23.7% |
| Schuylkill County | 143,000 | 14.9% | 21,300 | 22.1% |
Food Insecurity by Demographics
By Race/Ethnicity
- Black/African American: 26.3% food insecurity rate
- Hispanic/Latino: 22.8% food insecurity rate
- White (Non-Hispanic): 10.2% food insecurity rate
- Asian American: 8.9% food insecurity rate
By Household Type
- Single mothers with children 34.2%
- Households with seniors (65+) 8.4%
- Two-parent families 11.7%
- Single adults 13.2%
By Age Group
- Children (0-17) 19.1%
- Working-age adults (18-64) 12.1%
- Seniors (65+) 8.4%
Root Causes and Contributing Factors
1. Deindustrialization Legacy
Pennsylvania lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000. The decline of steel in Pittsburgh, coal in northeastern PA, and textiles across the state left communities struggling economically.
2. Urban Poverty Concentration
Philadelphia has a 23.1% poverty rate, the highest among the 10 largest U.S. cities. Other cities like Reading (38.2%), Chester (29.7%), and Allentown (25.4%) face similar challenges.
3. Low Wage Economy
Pennsylvania's minimum wage remains $7.25/hour (federal minimum). The living wage for a single adult averages $16.80/hour, and $34.20/hour for a single parent with one child in Philadelphia.
4. Rural Economic Decline
Northern tier and coal region counties face population loss, limited job opportunities, and aging demographics. Many young workers leave, eroding the tax base for local services.
5. Housing Cost Burden
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have seen 35-50% rent increases over 5 years. In Philadelphia, 52% of renters are cost-burdened, leaving minimal income for food.
6. Healthcare Costs
Despite Medicaid expansion, 6.4% of Pennsylvanians remain uninsured. Medical debt and prescription drug costs force difficult trade-offs between healthcare and food.
Food Assistance Infrastructure
Charitable Food Network
Major Food Banks (Feeding Pennsylvania Members)
- Philabundance - Philadelphia and 9 surrounding counties
- Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank - 11 counties in SW PA
- Central Pennsylvania Food Bank - 27 counties in central PA
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley - 5 counties in eastern PA
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest PA - Butler County and surrounding areas
- Erie Regional Food Bank - Erie County
- Chester County Food Bank - Chester County
Federal Nutrition Programs in Pennsylvania (2024)
| Program | Participants | Annual Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP (Food Stamps) | 1,748,000 | $3.42 billion |
| WIC | 186,000 | $158 million |
| School Breakfast | 384,000 daily | $135 million |
| National School Lunch | 796,000 daily | $581 million |
| Summer EBT (new 2024) | 652,000 | $78 million |
| TEFAP (Emergency Food) | 780,000 | $16.8 million |
Pennsylvania Initiatives and Solutions
State-Level Programs
- PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative: Provides grants and loans to bring supermarkets to underserved areas
- SNAP Path to Work: Employment and training program for SNAP recipients
- Farm to School Program: Connects 2,400 schools with Pennsylvania farmers
- Senior Food Box Program: Monthly food distribution for low-income seniors
- PA Agriculture Surplus System: Rescues surplus farm products for food banks
Innovative Local Solutions
- Philly Food Bucks: SNAP incentive program doubling value for produce purchases
- Mobile Pantries: 540+ mobile distributions monthly reaching food deserts
- Produce Prescription Programs: 32 healthcare sites "prescribe" fresh produce for patients
- Weekend Backpack Programs: 780 schools send food home with students on Fridays
- Community Markets: Client-choice food pantries preserving dignity
- Food Rescue Programs: 58 organizations rescuing surplus food from retailers and restaurants
Policy Recommendations
- Raise minimum wage to $15/hour with path to living wage
- Expand SNAP eligibility and increase benefit adequacy
- Universal school meals for all students to eliminate stigma and ensure nutrition
- Increase affordable housing funding to reduce housing cost burden
- Invest in rural economic development creating sustainable jobs
- Expand child care subsidies to reduce costs for working families
- Support urban agriculture and food infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods
How You Can Help
Individuals
- Volunteer at your local food bank or pantry
- Donate to Feeding Pennsylvania
- Shop Philly Food Bucks retailers to support farmers and food access
- Advocate for anti-hunger policies with state legislators
- Organize food drives in your workplace or community
Businesses & Organizations
- Join food rescue network to donate surplus food
- Sponsor mobile pantry stops in underserved communities
- Offer living wages and comprehensive benefits
- Partner with schools for Farm to School programs
- Support employee volunteer programs at food banks
Methodology and Data Sources
This report synthesizes data from multiple authoritative sources:
- Feeding America Map the Meal Gap 2025: County-level food insecurity estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024, population and demographic data
- PA Department of Human Services: SNAP and WIC participation data
- PA Department of Education: School meals participation statistics
- Feeding Pennsylvania: Charitable food distribution data and network statistics
- USDA Economic Research Service: Food access and food desert analysis
Last Updated: January 2025 | Report Authors: FoodBankFinder.net Research Team