Dear Neighbor,

I have learned that the distribution date for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers has been postponed due to an unexpected reduction in funds received from the federal government. The Department of Agriculture notified the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that counties across Pennsylvania will receive a 25% reduction in the number of vouchers for distribution to eligible seniors. This has pushed back delivery to the AAA by several weeks.

Updated distribution sites and dates:

As a reminder, the Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne and Wyoming counties will be distributing the annual Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) vouchers provided by the United States and Pennsylvania Departments of  Agriculture.

To be eligible for this program, you must meet all three requirements below:

• Be a resident of Luzerne or Wyoming County.  
• Be at least 60 years of age by Dec. 31, 2025.
• Meet income guidelines based on 2025 Total Household Income: (All income is included, i.e. Social Security, Pension, Unemployment Compensation, interest on Savings, Veterans payments, Public Assistance, Child support, Annuities, Net Rental income, Wages).

The 2025 household income eligibility is:

• 1 Person/Household – $28,953 or less.
• 2 People/Household – $39,128 or less.
• 3 People/Household – $49,303 or less.
• 4 People/Household – $59,478 or less. 
• 5 People/Household – $69,653 or less.

Any questions, please call any of the Luzerne County Active Adult Centers or Area Agency on Aging at 570-822-1159.

My legislation to help SNAP recipients access more healthy fruits and vegetables passed the PA House this week with strong bipartisan support!

Under the Pennsylvania Food Bucks program established by H.B. 1096, a Pennsylvania nonprofit would administer the program, providing benefit incentives of no less than 40 cents for each dollar a SNAP participant spends on certain healthy foods at participating retailers. Similar programs have been passed and implemented in other states and have been proven to improve diets through increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

The incentives -- often taking the form of a paper or digital coupon issued when a shopper pays with SNAP/EBT -- would allow shoppers to purchase additional fruits and vegetables at participating food retailers. In addition to any state funds allocated, matching dollars may be available from the federal government to stretch these investments even further.

I strongly believe that the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program would support PA’s agricultural economy, while simultaneously increasing access to nutritious food at a time when many Pennsylvanians’ budgets are tight. SNAP nutrition incentive programs like this can reduce hunger, support local farmers and retailers, and improve the health of Pennsylvanians.

Thank you to all of my colleagues who voted for the bill as well as Feeding Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, and The Food Trust for their support. I look forward to working with them and my Senate colleagues to get this to the governor’s desk!

June is Dairy Month and to celebrate, I joined state dairy and agriculture leaders – including Senate Agriculture Chairs Sen. Elder Vogel & Sen. Judy Schwank, as well as House Republican Agriculture Chair Dan Moul – for a press conference at the state Capitol to kick it off! You can watch my remarks in the video below:

Pennsylvania is blessed with a rich agricultural tradition, making us one of the leading producers of milk and dairy products in the United States with almost 5,000 dairy farms – the vast majority of which are family owned. On those farms they’re producing delicious and nutritious dairy, while contributing 47,000 jobs and almost $12 billion to our economy each year.

Not only does the dairy industry contribute to our state's economy, but it also plays a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our citizens. Milk and dairy products are an important source of essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, and protein. These nutrients are vital for the growth and development of our children, and they help promote bone health and overall wellness for people of all ages.

Our Pennsylvania dairy farmers and their families pour their hearts and souls into this profession. This month – and all year long – it’s important to thank them for their passion for their animals, their commitment to stewarding the land, and their unwavering dedication to providing us with safe, nutritious, and delicious dairy products.

You can always make sure it's Pennsylvania milk by looking for the PA Preferred label or for the plant number ‘42,’ which is usually printed near the top of the container, on the label or on the lid. Remember, that PA Preferred label means: Grown in PA. Buy PA. PA Preferred – PA Proud!

Many people have started receiving fraudulent text messages from the self-described “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Motor Vehicles (DMV).” THESE TEXT MESSAGES ARE SCAMS. Individuals who receive these text messages should not reply or click any hyperlinks within the message. PennDOT has been notified and is aware of the problem.

This is a phishing attempt designed to steal personal or financial information. PennDOT has confirmed that it does not send text messages regarding traffic violations, fines, or payment demands.

Anyone receiving such a message is advised not to engage and to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

For accurate information, always refer directly to PennDOT’s official website.

Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer America by searching for the TRUTH and finding the FACTS to guide our words, and our actions. Please, STAY STRONG and SAFE! Our democracy needs us to come together for the good of all.

Sincerely,

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski

121st Legislative District