HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – The Pennsylvania House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee and House Education Committee held a joint hearing today on H.B. 1768, the Keystone Fresh Act, introduced by state Reps. Danilo Burgos and Jonathan Fritz. The bipartisan legislation would expand access to fresh, locally sourced foods in school meals while supporting Pennsylvania farmers and strengthening local economies. The complete hearing can be viewed here . "Schools across Pennsylvania serve more than 168 million lunches per year , providing critical nutrients to children across the state and making them one of the largest potential markets for agricultural producers in Pennsylvania,” said Burgos, D-Phila. “However, school board food service providers reportedly only spend 9% of their total food costs on local foods. Local food purchasing incentive legislation , like the Keystone Fresh Act, would establish a grant program incentivizing schools to purchase, promote and serve local foods in their meal programs.” The Keystone Fresh Act would provide funding for schools to buy more local foods, and resources for farmers to meet school market needs. Research shows that for every $1 spent on local food purchasing initiatives, $1.40 circulates back into local economies. With Pennsylvania’s diverse agriculture sector, this program would improve student nutrition, stimulate the farm economy, and strengthen connections among Read more
Grant opportunities that are available to apply for Read more
Grant opportunities that are available to apply for. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Tara Probst joined Rep. Maureen Madden’s Veterans Expo to help answer questions for local veterans and to spread the word on her legislation that would expand eligibility requirements so more disabled veterans can get property tax relief. Read more
"It is imperative that roadside assistance vehicles be provided the same opportunity to operate blue safety lights as they carry out their often hazardous duties in aiding stranded motorists along Pennsylvania roads and highways,” Freeman said. Read more
A utility terrain vehicle received by the Stroudsburg Volunteer Fire Department at the end of June has already been used to respond to one emergency incident. Read more
From 327 views in 7 years to 1,400+ in days – Hundreds sign petition after seeing scale of project Read more
Haddock noted the state House had delivered budget legislation to the Senate, which it has not acted on to make progress on the budget process. Read more
Freeman said educators could use the program as part of enrichment or extension education, summer learning or to complement current work already being done in the classroom. Read more
Here are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. Read more
State Rep. Kyle Donahue today announced that $7.37 million in state funding was awarded to a rehabilitation project for Maple Lake Dam. Read more
“Too many Pennsylvanians, especially in rural and underserved communities, still don’t know that help is just a call or text away by dialing 988 to speak to a trained counselor 24 hours a day,” said Probst. Read more
“It’s only fitting that we acknowledge the success of American Legion Baseball and recognize the impact it has had on our nation’s pastime and our youth in Pennsylvania,” Haddock said. Read more
"Repurposing an old factory or mill for retail, office or arts space, or transforming them into dwellings, encourages economic development and improves the quality of life of a community,” Freeman said. Read more
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