State budget season is always important for Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry. This year is no exception. As lawmakers continue working through the 2026 to 2027 state budget, PFMA remains focused on practical issues that affect stores, workers, customers and communities across the Commonwealth. That includes continued funding for the Organized Retail Crime Unit, addressing swipe fees on sales tax, expanding access to healthy food and preventing harmful regulations, taxes and fees for our members.
One of our top priorities remains continued support for Pennsylvania’s Organized Retail Crime Unit in the office of Attorney General Dave Sunday. Organized retail crime is more than shoplifting. These are coordinated networks that target stores, threaten employees, steal products, and distribute stolen goods through illicit markets. Pennsylvania has made real progress by treating organized retail crime as the serious public safety and economic issue that it is. Continued state investment helps law enforcement meet the scale of the problem and gives retailers a stronger partner in protecting stores, employees and customers.
PFMA is also continuing to push for a fix to swipe fees on the sales tax portion of purchases. Retailers collect sales tax for the state, but they don’t keep that money. Yet under the current system, they’re still charged fees on the full amount of each sale, including the tax that goes to the Commonwealth. For food retailers operating on narrow margins, that is significant. A small percentage on a single sale may look minor. Across thousands of transactions, it adds up quickly. PFMA supports a practical fix that treats sales tax as it is: a state revenue collected by businesses, not as business income.
Healthy food access is another area where state policy can make a difference. Grocery stores are essential in every community. Smart investments in healthy food access can help support families, strengthen local stores, and improve outcomes in underserved areas. PFMA will continue working with lawmakers on initiatives that expand access while recognizing the operational realities faced by retailers every day.
Several other issues are moving this session that deserve attention. PFMA supports the transition to chip-enabled EBT cards and thanks the legislature for its leadership on improving security. SNAP recipients deserve stronger protection against theft, and retailers need systems that are secure and workable at the point of sale.
PFMA also supported HB 2388, the Pennsylvania Common Cents Act, which passed the state house with strong bipartisan support. The bill establishes clear guidelines for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel as pennies are phased out. PFMA supports this practical, pro-business, pro-consumer measure and looks forward to working with the senate to advance it to the governor’s desk.
Member Engagement And Policy Conversations
Much of PFMA’s work happens through its committees. Our legislative, food protection, loss prevention, sustainability and other member committees give companies a direct way to hear from policymakers, ask questions and shape the association’s priorities. This year, members have had formal visits from leaders including Sen. Dave Argall, Rep. Pat Gallagher, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, Secretary Akbar Hossain and House Majority Leader Matt Bradford. PFMA will continue all these conversations at our Fall Legislative Conference, October 13-14, at the Hershey Country Club. The conference will bring members together for policy discussion, advocacy and conversations about issues facing Pennsylvania’s Food and Beverage Industry.
Looking ahead, PFMA will bring members together next spring at Valley Forge Casino Resort for our Annual Conference, a change from Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa. As we move forward, I want to thank our members and partners for their continued engagement, insight and support. Your work on the ground and your willingness to stay involved strengthen our advocacy and help ensure we represent the needs of the industry and the communities they serve.