HARRISBURG, P.A. (WENY) - Pennsylvania was awarded $8.8 million Wednesday in federal funding for food access for low-income seniors.

The funding comes by way of the senior farmer's market nutrition program. As a result of the new funding, four thousand more seniors will be provided with access to food, up 40 thousand from 36 thousand.

According to Feeding America's most recent report on The State of Senior Hunger in America, five percent of Pennsylvanians age 60 and older were food-insecure.

The American Rescue Plan funds will allow the department to increase the dollar amount from $24 to $50 for vouchers offered to eligible seniors to redeem for fresh, local foods through the Senior Farmers Market Program.

Funding will also help market vendors who accept the vouchers, through embedded QR codes that make deposit easier.