Pennsylvania’s Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program

by Lindsay Riddell

On Tuesday, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that his Administration has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for unlawfully terminating Pennsylvania’s Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program agreement — a $13 million commitment that directly supports 189 Pennsylvania farms and supplies 14 food banks with fresh, locally grown food.

The Shapiro Administration tried to appeal the USDA’s unlawful termination of the LFPA25 agreement, filing an administrative appeal through the USDA, reaching out to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, and even traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with USDA leadership. Despite those efforts, the USDA ignored Pennsylvania’s requests to support farmers across the Commonwealth.

Since 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has administered more than $28 million in federal LFPA funding, helping food banks reduce waste, distribute local produce, and strengthen the state’s food system. The most recent three-year contract, signed in December 2024, was abruptly canceled in March 2025 — without Explanation.

Despite multiple appeals and direct outreach, USDA officials failed to provide any justification or engage in the formal appeals process. On May 7th, USDA officially terminated the agreement. In public statements, USDA officials falsely claimed Pennsylvania was “sitting on tens of millions” in unspent LFPA funds — despite the fact that the program operates on a reimbursement basis. PDA pays vendors up front and is reimbursed by the federal government once expenses are incurred.

“The USDA’s decision was not just unexpected — it was unlawful, and it has already caused serious harm to Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry,” said Secretary Redding. 

Pennsylvania is one of the only states in the country that uses LFPA funding exclusively to support in-state farmers — ensuring every federal dollar stays local and directly supports Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy. With food banks experiencing record-high demand and agricultural producers facing the toughest market conditions in decades, the USDA’s action is not only unjustified — it’s deeply harmful to working families and farming communities.
Local Farmers Markets are opening as early as next weekend. Check out VisitLuzerneCounty.com for days and times, and if you are able, please go and support our local farmers.