Shapiro Administration Invests $500,000 to Purchase and Process Erie-Area Grapes, Provide Fresh Juice to Local Foodbanks through Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System

Emergency purchase from Erie-area grape growers harmed by sudden contract cancellations in March 2026 will support farmers and feed families.

Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania is stepping up for grape growers in crisis, using programs and partnerships creatively and effectively to meet the needs of farm businesses while feeding families who need our help.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration dedicated $500,000 to fund an emergency purchase, process, and transport of 350 tons of grapes from 11 Erie-area growers whose buyer cancelled contracts for this season’s crops unexpectedly in March of this year. The grapes will be made into juice concentrate and distributed to Feeding Pennsylvania-member foodbanks through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS).

“PASS is a highly effective tool to provide a market for Pennsylvania farmers for their surplus crops while helping to feed our neighbors in need,” Secretary Redding said. “In March, the Shapiro Administration committed to doing everything we can to help farmers facing a sudden loss of a buyer. Under Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania has kept our promises, stepping up for farmers when crisis hits, using programs and partnerships creatively and effectively to meet the needs of Pennsylvania businesses while feeding families who need our help.”

PASS dollars will fund the purchase of concord grapes from 11 Pennsylvania growers for processing by New York-based CK Natural into 100 percent juice concentrate for distribution at Feeding Pennsylvania foodbanks across Pennsylvania. Concentrate, which is less expensive to transport, will yield three 64-ounce bottles of juice from each quart. The concentrate will be pasteurized, with no additives, for a natural source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

“We are fortunate to have an administration that consistently invests in agriculture and the charitable food system through PASS,” said Feeding Pennsylvania CEO Julie Bancroft. “This project exemplifies PASS’s purpose — supporting Pennsylvania farmers during unpredictable market downturns and weather challenges, while ensuring that healthy, local products reach families who need them most.”

How PASS Works to Feed Families, Support Farmers

Since 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has worked through PASS to increase food security and reduce food waste, providing $42 million to Feeding Pennsylvania’s network of food banks to buy 49.8 million pounds of nutritious surplus food from Pennsylvania farmers. PASS dollars cover harvesting, processing, transportation, and packaging costs for top quality items that otherwise may go to waste.

In the last decade, the PASS partnership has united Pennsylvania’s farmers, food banks, and state government in serving more than 41.1 million meals to 10.6 million households in need across Pennsylvania, including more than 11.2 million pounds of food worth more than $9 million so far this year.

Read the full press release on pa.gov.