Pennsylvania Sues USDA Over $1B Food Program Funding Cuts

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    — The state of Pennsylvania initiated legal action against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday, alleging that the agency, under former President Donald Trump, unlawfully terminated funding intended for a program that assists states in acquiring over $1 billion worth of food from farms for use in schools, childcare centers, and food banks.

    Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, announced the lawsuit filed in federal court, which challenges the USDA’s decision to conclude the support program initiated during the pandemic, arguing that the decision was made without proper justification and failed to align with the agency’s goals. The USDA has not provided a statement in response to the lawsuit.

    In his address at a food bank warehouse in Philadelphia, Shapiro criticized the USDA’s decision, questioning the priorities that led to the cessation of the program designed to aid both citizens in need of food and farmers. The legal complaint, submitted in Harrisburg’s federal court, seeks to compel the USDA to reverse its termination of the program.

    The filing by Shapiro’s administration claims that the USDA’s cessation of the program was unjustified, as there was no clear reasoning provided as to why it no longer served the agency’s objectives, and points out that the contract did not explicitly permit termination under such circumstances. The governor expressed optimism regarding the state’s chances of winning the lawsuit.

    “A deal is a deal,” Shapiro stated emphatically during the news conference. “An agreement was made with our farmers and Pennsylvania; this agreement was illegitimately broken.”

    Pennsylvania stands to lose $13 million from a three-year contract if the funding is not restored. This amount was earmarked for purchasing food from farms to supply local food banks. The funds are also vital for acquiring food for school meals and childcare facilities, including staples like cheese, eggs, meat, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

    Last year, under then-President Joe Biden, the USDA announced an additional round of funding for the program.