Pennsylvania Sues USDA Over Termination of Food Assistance Funding
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania officials filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday, alleging that the agency unlawfully cut off funding from a critical program designed to allocate over $1 billion in aid to states for purchasing food from local farms. This legal action, spearheaded by Governor Josh Shapiro, follows the USDA’s recent announcement to discontinue the pandemic-era assistance program, claiming it no longer aligned with the agency’s priorities.
Speaking at a Philadelphia food bank, Shapiro expressed his frustration, stating, "I don’t get what the hell their priorities are if not feeding people and taking care of our farmers." The lawsuit seeks a federal court ruling to reverse the USDA’s decision, claiming the termination of the contract was not justified and that the USDA failed to provide a valid explanation for this action.
According to Shapiro’s administration, the USDA contract did not grant authority for termination based on changing priorities, emphasizing that they have a legal obligation to honor the agreement. The cessation of funding represents a significant loss for Pennsylvania, amounting to $13 million slated for food purchases from local farms, which support food banks, school nutrition programs, and child care centers.
Governor Shapiro remarked, "A deal is a deal. They made a deal with our farmers, they made a deal with Pennsylvania, and they broke it." The funding is crucial for sourcing essential commodities, including dairy, meats, fruits, and vegetables.
In contrast, the Biden administration recently announced a second round of funding for the program, indicating a shift in federal support for state-level food procurement initiatives. The USDA has yet to respond to the lawsuit, as the state moves forward with its legal challenge.
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