The state continues to evolve in the way it serves an increased population of hungry Pennsylvanians.

“We need to make sure that the food supply chain can deliver on this promise, 'No Pennsylvanian should go hungry,' ” Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday in a joint news conference with Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.

The nonprofit Feeding America estimated that before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians experienced chronic hunger on a regular basis, including nearly a half-million children. Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States.

As the state has closed down businesses and social gatherings to combat the coronavirus, many more residents are needing help with feeding themselves and their families.

“It's not enough to change the way we move and process food. We also need to think about the way we access food,” Wolf said.

Wolf said the entire food supply chain was deemed as life-sustaining from the beginning of COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

To support the industry and protect the work force, the Wolf administration encouraged food production and processing operations to remain open and adhere to a series of comprehensive guidance to minimize risk, maintain a healthy work force and ensure the safety of food.

“We're blessed in Pennsylvania with an abundantly rich agriculture and food system supported by thousands of farmers, workers and businesses that have responded as never before to one of our most essential needs, food,” Redding said.

Redding also reiterated the administration's work with the state's charitable food system to provide easier access and limited risk of COVID-19.

Redding said those finding themselves in need for the first time are either unaware of assistance programs or wary of accepting help.

“Please know that we want you at this table,” he said. “We want to help you. The charitable food system was made for times like this.”

As more Pennsylvanians find themselves in need of food, Wolf called upon the federal government for its support and to send any aid possible to feed the state's hungry.

“We're going to continue asking for federal support on this,” Wolf said.