Pennsylvania food banks share $17.5 million in tax credits for business contributions
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank's $5.1 million is the largest award in the state's Charitable Food Program for 2026-27, which gives businesses a credit of up to 65 percent of what they contribute to food projects.
Harrisburg. Food banks, pantries and food rescue groups across Pennsylvania will receive contributions backed by $17,453,151 in state tax credits this year, under awards the Department of Community and Economic Development published on Oct. 19.
Charitable Food Program tax credits for 2026-27, by region
The credits come from the Charitable Food Program, one of five parts of the state's Neighborhood Assistance Program. It assists charitable programs that provide food to low-income people in distressed areas, and a business that contributes to an approved project can receive a credit of up to 65 percent of its contribution, the department says.
The largest awards
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, based in Harrisburg, received the largest, $5.1 million, to provide food with its partner agencies across its 27-county service territory. Its application lists 17 contributing businesses, among them Weis Markets, Fulton Bank, Penn National Insurance and Ollie's Bargain Outlet.
In Philadelphia, Sharing Excess received $3.3 million to rescue 7 million pounds of surplus produce from the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and deliver it to more than 350,000 residents. Philabundance received $2.15 million; nearly 700,000 people in its Pennsylvania service area are food insecure, its application says.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, in Duquesne, received two awards: $1,607,691 to encourage farms and stores to contribute fresh food, and $351,351 to distribute 514,800 pounds of produce, or 25,740 produce boxes, to 2,145 households in Armstrong and Cambria counties.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, in Erie, received $683,150 for a region where more than 100,000 people lack sufficient nutrition, and Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA received $174,200 to distribute 15.5 million pounds of food through its pantry network. Smaller awards went to pantries, ministries and food banks such as York County Food Bank, $47,450, and Midwest Food Bank's Pennsylvania branch in Middletown, $47,125.
How the credits reach food banks
The state does not pay the food banks. Each approved project names the businesses that will contribute, and a business that has given sends the department proof and receives a tax credit certificate, usable in the current year and the five after. Contributions must arrive in the program year, July 1 to June 30.
The food awards are part of $71.6 million in credits for 443 projects statewide, which also cover housing, education, job training and other neighborhood work.
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