The Shapiro Administration has announced a $500,000 investment to help Erie-area grape growers impacted by unexpected contract cancellations while also providing food assistance to families in need across Pennsylvania.
The funding will support the emergency purchase, processing, and transportation of approximately 350 tons of grapes from 11 Erie-area growers after their buyer abruptly canceled contracts for the 2026 growing season in March.
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The grapes will be processed into juice concentrate and distributed to food banks affiliated with Feeding Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS).
Gregory Hall, the CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank told Erie News Now, “It’s more than how we make are neighbors healthy, but how do we make the Community healthy? How do we help are partners help us?”
The initiative is designed to provide immediate relief to farmers facing financial uncertainty while ensuring the harvested grapes benefit communities experiencing food insecurity.
The processed grape juice concentrate will be distributed through Feeding Pennsylvania’s network, helping provide additional food resources to families in need while creating a market for growers whose crops were left without a buyer.