A Sudden Cut, A Strong Response
By Julie McCabe, Executive Director
On June 4, 2025, I had the honor of speaking alongside Governor Josh Shapiro at a press conference to defend Pennsylvania’s farms and food access programs.
Together, we responded to the USDA’s abrupt cancellation of Pennsylvania’s agreement under the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program — a decision that rescinds $13 million in federal funding over the next three years.
That funding would have supported:
✅ 189 small farms
✅ 14 food banks
✅ Thousands of families across the Commonwealth
Governor Shapiro announced Pennsylvania’s plan to pursue legal action against the USDA for what he called an “unlawful” termination of a critical agreement.
Why This Matters to Pennypack
As the Executive Director of Pennypack Farm & Education Center, I was proud to represent our farm and the broader Montgomery County agricultural community at the press conference.
The LFPA program has allowed farms like ours — and many for-profit farms — to grow, plan, and give with purpose.
“LFPA funding helped farms like ours feed our neighbors with dignity. Losing it puts strain on everyone — especially food-insecure families.”
— Julie McCabe
The Impact of Giving, Measured in Pounds
At Pennypack, our Produce Giving Program has grown significantly — from just over 8,000 pounds in 2017 to more than 26,000 pounds in 2024.
This produce is distributed directly to local food pantries, often within 24 hours of harvest. In some cases, we’re the only source of fresh produce available to pantry clients.
And we don’t do it alone — volunteers from our community help harvest, pack, and deliver food straight from the field.
A Bigger Picture: When Nonprofits Fill the Gap
This is about more than just our farm.
Without programs like LFPA, many for-profit farms can’t afford to donate their surplus produce. Public funding provides the crucial incentive to redirect that food toward hunger relief rather than waste or wholesale markets.
“When public funding is pulled back, nonprofits like ours rise up to meet the needs that are exposed. But we can’t do it all alone.”
— Julie McCabe
What Comes Next
We’re proud to continue our work — and to speak up on behalf of the farms and families affected by this decision. We are grateful to Governor Shapiro for standing up for Pennsylvania’s food system.
We remain committed to our mission to Grow. Give. Teach. And we’ll keep advocating for a more just, more resilient local food system.
🧑🌾 Want to learn more or get involved?
Email: Info@pennypackfarm.org or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
