Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently hosted a roundtable in Northampton County to discuss the efforts of Pennsylvania farmers and food banks in combating hunger. The event was attended by Second Harvest Food Bank Associate Executive Director Sarah Wassel and Feeding PA CEO Julie Bancroft, among others. They focused on Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed investments in the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) and the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP), which aim to strengthen the state’s food supply chain amid federal funding cuts.
Secretary Redding emphasized, “With the bipartisan support of the General Assembly and the overwhelming generosity of Pennsylvania farmers, we have built successful programs to tackle food insecurity and put healthy, nutritious, local food on the tables of families across Pennsylvania.”
Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal includes a $4 million increase for PASS and an additional $4 million for SFPP. These funds are intended to enhance resources for emergency food providers across all 67 counties, raising the combined total for these programs to $34.6 million.
The cancellation of $13 million from the USDA’s Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program has created a significant funding gap. In response, Governor Shapiro directed Secretary Redding “to formally appeal” this loss.
Senator Nick Miller said, “Farmers in the Lehigh Valley provide fresh, local food to families… I’m committed to working with Secretary Redding, Governor Shapiro, and partners across Pennsylvania to protect our farms and ensure no one goes hungry.”
Julie Bancroft noted that “agricultural partnerships are transformative for Pennsylvania’s charitable food system,” highlighting their role in reducing food waste and connecting those experiencing hunger with nutritious foods.
Travis Hahn from Twin Maple Farm expressed concern over potential funding losses: “Working with the food banks through the LFPA is very rewarding… The loss of this program will mean the loss of one avenue of market for our product.”
Richard Rowe of Bechdolt Orchards added that LFPA funding has allowed them “to forge community-based solutions to food insecurity.”
Greg Edelman from Terra Fauna Farm remarked on how LFPA has enabled him to work full-time on his farm without needing another job: “The access to new market opportunities it granted us greatly raised demand for vegetables we grew.”
Pennsylvania agriculture supports over 53,000 farms generating $132.5 billion annually. Governor Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy places agriculture at its forefront as essential for growth.
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