Shante' Brown, Deputy Secretary of Child Development and Early Learning | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
Governor Josh Shapiro has announced that his administration is appealing the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) decision to terminate the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program. This program provides funds to Pennsylvania farmers who supply local food banks with fresh produce. Governor Shapiro has instructed Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding to challenge what he described as an "abrupt and irrational decision" by the USDA to cancel Pennsylvania's $13 million contract for the LFPA program, which supports 189 farms and 14 food banks in the state.
Over the past two and a half years, more than $28 million in federal funding from the LFPA program has been distributed to local farmers across Pennsylvania. In return, food banks have received fresh, local produce from these farmers to aid in feeding vulnerable communities. The program was set to provide an additional $13 million over three years for purchasing locally grown food for food banks. However, earlier this month, Governor Shapiro's administration was informed by the federal government of their decision to cancel Pennsylvania's contract abruptly.
Governor Shapiro stated that this action follows a roundtable discussion with local leaders and farmers from Adams, Cumberland, and Schuylkill counties at the Central PA Food Bank.
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