2025 Election Guide
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"Governor Shapiro, I want to sincerely thank you for elevating this issue. This isn’t just about meals - it’s about families, communities, and our local economy. So, Governor, thank you for standing up and making this a priority."
"Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s top industry, with dairy leading the way, yet milk remains the most requested item at food banks... That grant helped cover bottling costs, reduced food waste, and, most importantly, put nutritious whole milk into the hands of those who need it most.
"This federal funding is critical for us to continue to ensure our work with local food banks can be included in our market plans, and that a year-round supply of potatoes to the food banks that make it to people who are food insecure."
Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro is taking action(opens in a new tab) to protect Pennsylvania farmers and food banks after the USDA unlawfully canceled $13 million in federal funding through the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program. This decision impacts 189 farmers and 14 food banks, cutting off a vital source of revenue and fresh, local food for families in need. The Shapiro Administration is filing a direct administrative challenge(opens in a new tab), demanding the federal government honor its commitment.
Governor Shapiro met with farmers and food bank leaders(opens in a new tab) at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and took to the airwaves, participating in radio interviews in markets across Pennsylvania to share how his Administration is fighting for farmers and food security. If the USDA does not reverse its decision, the state is prepared to take further legal action to protect Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy.
Over the past two and a half years, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has directed more than $28 million in federal LFPA funding to local farmers, ensuring food banks receive fresh, locally grown food. The now-canceled program would have provided an additional $13 million over the next three years.
Listen to Governor Shapiro discuss this on:
Read what Pennsylvania farmers, food banks, and agricultural leaders are saying about Governor Shapiro’s action to support farmers:
Amy Brickner, Destiny Dairy Bar farmer: "I am a dairy farmer, and three years ago, I started bottling and selling milk to bring fresh, nutritious food directly to my community. Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s top industry, with dairy leading the way, yet milk remains the most requested item at food banks. Nearly two years ago, thanks to a local food grant, the Central PA Food Bank connected me with Safe Harbour, a nonprofit in Carlisle. Since then, their team has picked up close-dated milk from my farm each week, providing it to their residents and the Salvation Army-Carlisle. That grant helped cover bottling costs, reduced food waste, and, most importantly, put nutritious whole milk into the hands of those who need it most. In January, I was told funding would be frozen, but I kept donating because I knew the impact. This winter was tough — I absorbed costs I can’t afford — but I’m proud of the work I do alongside my grandmother, mother, and sons. I’m grateful for the Shapiro Administration who is taking this action today.”
Lela Reichart, Vice President of New Business Development at Sterman Masser Inc.: "As an eighth-generation potato grower, it's been our privilege to work with 5 of our local food banks in distributing nutritiously dense potatoes to help feed those who otherwise wouldn't be able to access them at their local grocery stores. It’s part of our farm's mission to ensure that no one goes hungry, and to continue to provide nutritious food, feeding one person at a time. This federal funding is critical for us to continue to ensure our work with local food banks can be included in our market plans, and that a year-round supply of potatoes to the food banks that make it to people who are food insecure."
Chris Hoffman, President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau: "It is an honor to represent over 27,000 farmers across Pennsylvania — men and women whose job is to ensure our communities have access to nutritious, balanced meals. As we were discussing earlier, the reality that one in five children goes to bed hungry is something we simply cannot accept. We must find solutions to change that, and I appreciate Governor Shapiro, his Administration, and Secretary Redding for making agriculture a pillar of economic development and growth in Pennsylvania. We needed this focus, and the Governor’s budgets have shown he is fully committed to strengthening our agriculture industry. I firmly believe we have the best farmers in the country, and I stand by that. Every day, they work tirelessly to prevent food insecurity and keep Pennsylvania’s families fed. Thanks to leadership that values and invests in agriculture, we have the opportunity to grow and innovate in this Commonwealth."
Joe Arthur, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank: "Governor Shapiro, I want to sincerely thank you for elevating this issue. Here at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, we've been deeply concerned about the funding cut to the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program. For our food bank alone, that cut means losing $1.8 million over 15 months—that’s $120,000 a month and 500,000 meals that won’t reach the children and adults who rely on us. It also means fewer resources for our local farmers, who supply the fresh, nutritious food that makes this program so impactful. This isn’t just about meals—it’s about families, communities, and our local economy. So, Governor, thank you for standing up and making this a priority."
George Matysik, Executive Director of the Share Food Program: “President Trump is declaring war on Poor People. This time targeting hungry students and their families, the Trump administration recently handed down yet another round of unconscionable funding cuts — and we are still bracing for what’s to come.”
Colleen Young, Director of Government Affairs at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: “If you're in a rural community, if you're in a small church pantry, then you don't have a budget to be able to make food purchases beyond what you're able to source at no cost. Through these The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) products, the LFPA, we’re able to move out to our food pantry network at no cost to them. In Pennsylvania, we're the third largest producer of foods purchased by the USDA through TFAP, so if there is a massive cut in those food purchases, that's going to impact Pennsylvania agricultural producers.”
Representative Justin Fleming: "What concerns me most is that the federal government’s actions are literally taking food out of the mouths of children across Pennsylvania and the nation. This is unacceptable. I want to thank Governor Shapiro for having the courage to stand up and say, ‘The federal government made a contract to support our farmers, growers, and producers, and you will honor that commitment, or there will be consequences.’ Governor, your leadership is vital because it’s important that we draw a firm line in the sand. When you represent the federal government, you represent all of us — you are responsible for their interests. I simply cannot abide by the idea that feeding hungry people is not a priority for the federal government. Governor, I commend you for stepping up and showing the leadership we need in this critical moment."
See what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching regarding Governor Shapiro’s action to protect our agricultural economy:
Allegheny Front: Gov. Shapiro demands USDA uphold contract with farmers and food banks
WITF: Pennsylvania challenging USDA food assistance contract cancellation
Newtown PA Now: Bucks County Food Aid To Be Hit As Gov. Shapiro Battles Federal Cuts
ABC27: Shapiro appealing Trump decision to terminate contract that 'benefits' farmers, food banks
CBS21: Shapiro appealing Trump decision to terminate contract that 'benefits' farmers, food banks
WENY: PA to appeal USDA's decision to cancel Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program
WGAL: Shapiro administration appeals decision to rescind $13M to help food banks
FOX43: 'Unlawful' cancellation of farm funding appealed by Gov. Shapiro
WFMZ: Gov. Shapiro appeals USDA decision to freeze money for federal programs