Governor Josh Shapiro filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for unlawfully terminating Pennsylvania’s Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program agreement a $13 million commitment that directly supports 189 Pennsylvania farms and supplies 14 food banks with fresh, locally grown food.
Despite repeated efforts to appeal the decision through the USDA’s internal process, the USDA ignored Pennsylvania’s requests to reinstate the agreement to support farmers across the Commonwealth – leaving the Shapiro Administration no other choice but to sue.
On Wednesday, Governor Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russel Redding visited the Share Food Program in Philadelphia to announce the lawsuit and reaffirm his Administration’s commitment to protecting Pennsylvania’s farmers and families in need.
Over the past two and a half years, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has administered more than $28 million in federal LFPA funding to reduce food waste, deliver local produce, and strengthen the state’s food system. The sudden loss of an additional $13 million in expected funding has disrupted food bank operations and created gaps in service.
Read what Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural leaders are saying about Governor Shapiro’s action to support farmers:
Brian Campbell, Owner and Founder of Brian Campbell Farms: “I started providing fresh fruits and vegetables to Pennsylvania food banks several years ago from Share in Philadelphia to food banks in Pittsburgh, Mercer County, and across Central PA. That work gave me a deep appreciation for what food insecurity really looks like. Whether someone is going through a tough time or has long struggled to make ends meet, the need is real and the people who dedicate their time to helping others are truly inspiring. It’s not just about putting food on the table it’s about providing healthy, nutritious options that can change lives. Programs like LFPA made it possible for farmers to cover the basic costs of harvesting, packaging, and delivering fresh produce to food banks. It was enough support to make it doable, and that made all the difference for the people we serve.”
Source : pa.gov