Shapiro appealing Trump decision to terminate contract that 'benefits' farmers, food banks

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Governor Josh Shapiro hosted a roundtable with local farmers at the Central PA Food Bank on Tuesday to address how federal funding cuts are impacting local food banks and agriculture, calling the cuts by Trump "unlawful."

"We need to serve our communities and make sure that those who are hungry get to eat, and those farmers are able to provide that food," Shapiro said.

Shapiro said the Trump administration recently decided to terminate a three-year contract that would help farmers provide food banks with fresh produce. He called the termination illegal, saying the U.S. Department of Agriculture "needs to honor" it.

Shapiro highlighted the work made possible over the past two years through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. The program allows food banks to purchase fresh produce from farmers, putting money in farmers' pockets.

Until it was overturned by the federal government, the Department of Agriculture administered the program that Shapiro said supports 14 local food banks and 189 farms or agriculture producers.

The initiative was nationwide, and every farm is a Pennsylvanian. Shapiro said every dollar received supports farmers and the agriculture industry in Pennsylvania.

Shapiro said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a part of President Trump's administration, abruptly canceled the agreement last month. In the words of Shapiro, the letter said the initiative that feeds 100,000 Pennsylvanians and helps hundreds "no longer aligns with their priorities."

The governor called the action unlawful, saying all 189 farmers and 14 food banks will be impacted.

"One in five children go to bed hungry at night," Shapiro said. "This decision made by the federal government is making it harder to feed those children."

Shapiro vowed to "protect PA's interest to make sure hungry Pennsylvanians get fed" and to ensure "farmers get a fair deal."

He said his administration is immediately appealing the decision to "illegally" terminate the contract.

Shapiro demanded that the government rescind the cancellation of the program and that Pennsylvania farmers and food banks are owed $13 million stated in the contract that was terminated.

He added that agriculture, while it is a rich part of our heritage, is an important part of the future of our economy.

Shapiro also criticized the president, saying his actions contradict his words, as Trump used agriculture as a talking point during his campaigning, especially in Pennsylvania.

Shapiro said the "unlawful cuts to vital programs, combined with chaos, is a result of Trump pushing the button," adding that tariffs on Mexico are also negatively impacting farmers in Pennsylvania.

"They're injecting chaos into every hour of every day," Shapiro said, in regards to the Trump administration. "These tariffs are the dumbest economic decision I've ever seen a president make. Because of this chaos, we are worse off right now."

Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined the governor, alongside Joe Arthur, the CEO of the Central PA Food Bank, and other local officials.

"A contract is a contract, and trust is trust," Redding said. "We entered this in good faith."

Redding said the contract was equally benefitting the consumers and the farmers, and he appreciated the governor's leadership.

Redding added they are "making sure the hungry get fed and that the farmers get paid."

Arthur thanked the governor for recent advancements from Shapiro's administration that have contributed to recent success at the food bank.

Farmers were also present for the conference and roundtable with Chris Hoffman, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President.

Rep. Justin Fleming (D) said the initiative is important to him, as he grew up food insecure.

"Those were hard times for our family," Fleming said. "They're literally taking food out of the mouths of kids across the Commonwealth and the nation... This administration does not respect the rule of law."

Shapiro said that he will be speaking with dairy farmers in Blair County on Wednesday to further understand the obstacles they're facing, as agriculture remains a "priority" for him as governor.