Report on Pennsylvania State Initiatives Supporting Sustainable Development Goals

Investment in Local Food Supply Chain Strengthening

The Shapiro Administration has announced an allocation of over $21 million in federally-funded grants to 77 farms and food manufacturers across Pennsylvania. This initiative aims to increase capacity, stimulate growth, and create opportunities throughout the state’s food supply chain.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding emphasized the importance of this investment in building a resilient local supply chain, contributing to healthier communities, thriving businesses, and increased job opportunities. This effort aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by enhancing local food production and distribution.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – through job creation and business growth.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – via modernization and infrastructure upgrades.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by promoting local, seasonal, and fresh food.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program

The funding is distributed through Pennsylvania’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, which provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants to support food processing, distribution, and aggregation from multiple farms. The program supports:

1. Infrastructure grants for system-wide improvements benefiting groups of producers.
2. Equipment-only grants for critical upgrades and new purchases.

These grants facilitate equipment upgrades, safety improvements, and facility modernization, enabling manufacturers to expand product lines and improve connections between farmers and consumers.

Local Grant Awards by County

• Luzerne County
  • The Food Dignity Project – $723,839 (Infrastructure Grant): Development of cold storage, processing, and delivery systems supporting 29 farms and launching 15 new value-added products.
  • Michael Family Farm – $77,023 (Equipment-Only Grant): Acquisition and installation of on-farm dairy processing equipment to expand product offerings and markets in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties.
• Lackawanna County
  • Friends of the Poor – $413,013 (Infrastructure Grant): Establishment of a centralized cold-storage food distribution hub to enhance nonprofit and farmer access to fresh food for thousands of residents.
• Monroe County
  • Pocono Organics – $59,258 (Equipment-Only Grant): Expansion of processing capacity for micro-greens to increase output and regional retail distribution.
• Wyoming County
  • Hopkins Farm – $749,496 (Infrastructure Grant): Modernization and expansion of vegetable processing and cold storage to improve safety, energy efficiency, and revenue.

Legislation to Enhance State Veterans Homes

Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Sen. Doug Mastriano and Sen. Lisa Baker, has progressed through the General Assembly and awaits the governor’s signature. The bill aims to improve oversight and quality of care in Pennsylvania’s six state Veterans Homes by:

• Requiring advisory councils to advise on resident care, facility operations, and compliance.
• Increasing council membership to 15 members with open meeting compliance.
• Mandating the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide subject matter experts and annual reports to the General Assembly.

This legislation supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by ensuring high-quality care for veterans and enhancing transparency and accountability in healthcare services.

Regulation of Vaping Devices and DUI Sentencing

Attorney General Dave Sunday responded to the passage of two bills in the Pennsylvania House:

• HB1425: Establishes a directory for electronic nicotine devices (vapes) to regulate their distribution and prevent access by minors.
• HB1615: Maintains DUI sentencing conditions that preserve treatment programs while holding repeat offenders accountable.

These legislative measures contribute to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by addressing public health risks associated with vaping and impaired driving.

Warning on Potential Phone Scam Targeting EBT Card Users

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued a warning regarding a phone scam targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The scam involves calls requesting verification of identity under threat of benefit cancellation.

DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh clarified that DHS will never request personal information via unsolicited calls or texts. Recipients are advised to protect their EBT cards by locking them when not in use and to report suspicious communications to the DHS fraud tip line.

This advisory supports SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by promoting secure access to social protection systems and protecting individuals from fraud and identity theft.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses investments in Pennsylvania’s local food supply chain, supporting farms and food manufacturers to increase capacity and provide fresh, local food.
   • Programs like the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) aim to improve food processing, distribution, and aggregation to meet demand for local, seasonal, and fresh food.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Legislation to enhance state Veterans Homes focuses on improving care quality and oversight for veterans, ensuring their health and well-being.
   • Regulation of vaping devices aims to protect youth from health risks associated with nicotine and unregulated products.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Grants to farms and food manufacturers support business growth, job opportunities, and economic resilience in Pennsylvania’s food sector.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Legislation enhancing oversight of Veterans Homes and regulating vaping devices reflects efforts to strengthen institutions, transparency, and accountability.
   • Efforts to combat scams targeting EBT card users demonstrate protection of citizens’ rights and access to social services.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, including through secure and equal access to land, technology, and markets.
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, including reducing substance abuse.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. SDG 2 Indicators
   • Number of farms and food manufacturers receiving grants and increasing capacity (implied by the RFSI program funding 77 farms and manufacturers).
   • Quantity and variety of local, seasonal, and fresh food products produced and distributed (implied by equipment upgrades and new product lines).
   • Number of value-added products launched (e.g., 15 new products by The Food Dignity Project).
2. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Quality and oversight metrics of Veterans Homes (implied by legislation requiring advisory councils, compliance, and reporting).
   • Incidence of youth vaping and related health outcomes (implied by regulation of vaping devices to reduce youth access and use).
   • Number of reported scams and fraud cases related to EBT benefits (implied by warnings and reporting mechanisms).
3. SDG 8 Indicators
   • Number of jobs created or sustained in the food supply chain (implied by statements about job opportunities and business growth).
   • Amount of investment in local food infrastructure and equipment (e.g., $21 million in grants).
4. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Number and effectiveness of oversight councils and compliance reports for Veterans Homes.
   • Legislative actions taken to regulate harmful products and protect consumers.
   • Number of scam reports and successful prevention of identity theft among benefit recipients.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: timesleader.com