County taps Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank for state food program
County commissioners approved a service agreement Wednesday with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to administer the State Food Purchase Program for three years.
The State Food Purchase Program along with the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program are the sources of the food the food bank provides to the county’s 33 food pantries.
The food bank has been operating the county’s food program since July when the commissioners transferred the program from Community Partnership.
Commissioner Kim Geyer said the pantries are happy with the food bank. She said the food bank distributed 2.5 million pounds of food to the county including a million pounds of fresh produce since the transfer.
“Our pantries are very pleased with the process and the service and the flexibility,” Geyer said.
The contract runs through June 30, 2028, and includes an option to extend it for two additional one-year terms.
The food bank is paid directly from the grant the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture provides to the county for food purchase program.
Solicitor Julie Graham said a similar agreement is being worked out with the food bank for the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
