Gov. Josh Shapiro announced a lawsuit against the federal government Wednesday over the abrupt cancellation of a \$13 million contract that supported Pennsylvania farms and food banks. Speaking from the Share Food Program warehouse in North Philadelphia, Shapiro called the federal decision a breach of contract and a betrayal of the state’s agricultural community.
The canceled funding came from the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program, which had allowed nonprofits to buy local produce, meat, and dairy for distribution across Pennsylvania. According to Shapiro, the sudden cancellation jeopardizes food access for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians and removes a vital market for 189 in-state farms.
The governor also criticized the broader handling of agriculture and nutrition policy by the Trump administration, describing recent federal actions as chaotic and harmful. He cited rising prices, disrupted markets, and tariff policies that have raised consumer costs and burdened local producers.
The lawsuit follows months of failed attempts to resolve the dispute through official channels. State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding met with USDA officials in Washington, but those talks yielded no reversal. Shapiro accused federal officials of spreading misinformation about unspent state funding, asserting that Pennsylvania must first pay farmers before receiving reimbursement.
Shapiro also expressed frustration with Republican members of Congress, claiming they’ve prioritized politics over constituents, ignoring the impact of lost food assistance in their own districts.
The dispute arrives amid broader federal proposals to cut funding to nutrition programs. The U.S. House reconciliation bill seeks to slash nearly \$300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians. The cuts could also impact free school meals and food access for immigrant children.
Shapiro said Pennsylvania will continue to invest in agriculture through state programs, but stressed that state dollars cannot replace federal support. He warned that the consequences of Washington’s decisions will fall hardest on low-income families and the farmers who feed them.
Source: WHYY