Shapiro files lawsuit against federal government over million funding cuts affecting Pennsylvania food banks and farmers.
In a significant legal move, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has initiated a lawsuit against the Biden administration, seeking to reinstate million in funding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cut for food banks and farmers earlier this year. Announced during a news conference at Share Food Program in Philadelphia, the lawsuit underscores Shapiro’s commitment to address the anticipated impact of these cuts on local food assistance programs.
Earlier this March, Shapiro’s administration formally requested the USDA to reconsider its decision to terminate funding for the Local Food Purchase Agreement Program, which was instrumental in enabling food banks to procure food directly from local farmers. However, after months of stagnant progress, Shapiro concluded that legal recourse was essential. Citing a legal doctrine asserting that contractual agreements must be honored, Shapiro emphasized that the USDA had illicitly nullified a deal previously established with Pennsylvania.
The USDA’s decision primarily stemmed from its announcement in March to discontinue the 0 million Local Food Purchase Agreement Program, a fund created to facilitate food banks in sourcing food during the pandemic. Officials from the USDA argued that the program no longer aligned with the agency’s current priorities. The cessation of these funds has left 14 food banks in Pennsylvania facing severe budgetary constraints and rising operational demands, as they grapple with the displacement of million over the next three years.
Reports indicate that the Share Food Program has experienced a staggering 120% increase in demand over the past three years. With growing food insecurity exacerbating the situation, local food banks contend with the dual challenge of declining financial resources amidst escalating community needs.
Upon announcing the lawsuit, Shapiro criticized the USDA for illegally rescinding the funding agreement negotiated under former President Biden. He noted that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture had followed necessary internal protocols to contest the funding cancellation before resorting to litigation.
While the federal government has yet to respond publicly to the suit, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins previously accused Shapiro of engaging in “political games,” asserting that the agency has allocated billions in support to food banks across the nation during this turbulent period.
As Shapiro embarks on this legal challenge, he expresses confidence in the potential outcome, drawing on his previous successes against the Trump administration. However, he also cautioned that if the funds are not restored through the lawsuit, Pennsylvania would be incapable of independently financing the program. The implications of this funding cut extend beyond immediate financial impacts; they amplify existing concerns around food security in Pennsylvania amid a landscape of increasing demand for essential food services.
Media News Source
