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). 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.
https://www.feedingpa.org/newsroom/shapiro-administration-invests-500000-to-purchase-and-process-erie-area-grapes-provide-fresh-juice-to-local-foodbanks-through-pennsylvania-agricultural-surplus-system/