The PennZone

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - PennZone -- On Wednesday, April 1, New Bethany hosted a roundtable discussion with local leadership and community members to discuss the importance of access to healthy food. Roundtable panelists included:

• Secretary Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
• Fadia Halma, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
• Eric Ruth, Kellyn Foundation
• Megan Grega, Lifestyle Medicine Initiative
• Rosemarie Lister, St. Luke's University Health Network
• Megan Briggs, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
• Erin Connely, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
• Dina Kovats-Bernat, Meals on Wheels of the Lehigh Valley
• Raymond Santiago, Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley
• Veronica Gonzalez, Valley Health Partners
• Rep. Steve Samuelson, Pennsylvania's 135th District
• John Marc Rittle, New Bethany

As part of Secretary Arkoosh's tour of the Lehigh Valley, the New Bethany roundtable offered key insights into how food insecurity and homelessness affect the region. The discussion also noted solutions, local key organizations supporting the community, and how funding can provide even more support.

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"Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed 2026-2027 budget would support organizations like New Bethany," said Secretary Arkoosh, PA Department of Human Services. "The proposed budget would support food pantries like New Bethany's, which offers fresh produce and nutritious meals to the community."

In 2024, New Bethany distributed over 40,000 hot, nutritious lunches at its Meal Center, serving over 1,000 neighbors in the Bethlehem area. Currently, New Bethany has continued to see an increase in the number of community members using its Choice Food Pantry.

"The people we serve in the Lehigh Valley really need access to healthy food," said John Marc Rittle, executive director of New Bethany. "Governor Shapiro's proposed investments in medically tailored meals will not only improve the quality of life for many of our neighbors, but also help reduce long-term healthcare costs, ultimately benefiting the community as a whole."

Before the roundtable discussion, Rittle gave Secretary Arkoosh, Rep. Samuelson, and other roundtable guests a tour of the Choice Food Pantry, further emphasizing New Bethany's need for funding and access to healthy food.

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About New Bethany

New Bethany offers hope and support to neighbors experiencing poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness in the Lehigh Valley. Founded in March 1985, New Bethany has provided over 1.1 million meals and assisted tens of thousands of neighbors throughout our 40 years of serving the community. New Bethany helps individuals and families overcome barriers to self-sufficiency by providing services from food assistance and basic hygiene to supportive and permanent housing, financial assistance, case management, and wellness initiatives.  New Bethany meets people where they are—empowering them to build sustainable and independent lives.