ICYMI: Rob Bresnahan Goes to Bat for Pennsylvanians in Need
Rob Bresnahan is going to bat for his community in Washington. The first-term majority maker recently introduced a bill to ensure families in need have stable access to nutritious, locally sourced food, provide important business to Pennsylvania farmers, and reduce unnecessary food waste.
“Rob Bresnahan has spent his entire life fighting for his community. As a lifelong resident of NEPA, Rob knows the needs of the Eighth District better than anyone, and that’s why Pennsylvanians trust him as their voice in Washington.” – NRCC Spokesman Reilly Richardson
Read more from FOX 56 here or see excerpts below:
Local bill aims to link Pennsylvania farms with families in need through food banks
Elizabeth Haikes
FOX 56
August 27, 2025
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A new push in Washington could change the way food gets from Pennsylvania farms to Pennsylvania families in need. Congressman Rob Bresnahan introduced a bill today at Brace’s Orchard in Dallas. It’s called the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act.
Surrounded by farmers and food advocates at Brace’s Apple Orchard, Congressman Rob Bresnahan unveiled his new legislation, designed to strengthen the connection between local growers and families who rely on food banks.
“This is a very pragmatic, common-sense piece of legislation. It’s about supporting local farmers. It’s supporting our families in need. It’s marrying the two together,” said Congressman Bresnahan (R).
The bill would let states set up cooperative agreements through USDA to buy fresh, local food directly from farmers, everything from fruit and dairy to poultry and seafood. A quarter of those purchases would come from small or mid-size producers, beginning farmers, or veteran farmers.
“This program is going to fill a critical gap that we have because of the loss of funding we had experienced. This will allow us to continue providing all that nutritious food from all the local small farmers that we have within our communities,” said Jennifer Warabak, Exec. Dir. Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank.
For farmers like Logan Brace, it’s a way to make sure high-quality produce doesn’t go to waste.
“I’m sending the food bank a first-grade quality product that I might not have a use for in my retail store, but it’s a nice piece of produce. I would hate to grind that up and make apple cider out of it if I don’t have to,” said Brace.
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And for families relying on food assistance, advocates say it’s about more than food, it’s about nutrition.
“SNAP recipients need to make a choice when they’re purchasing food. Can I afford that? Sometimes healthy food takes a backseat. That’s where this really comes into play. We’re giving them access through the food bank of a nutritious product. Not just food, it’s nutritious,” said Jerry Mancelli, Brace’s Apple Orchard.