State Announces $500,000 Program to Purchase Erie County Grapes Following Contract Cancellations

ERIE — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has announced $500,000 in emergency funding to purchase Concord grapes from Erie County growers who lost contracts earlier this year following an unexpected decision by juice manufacturer Refresco to end agreements with area farms.

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The funding, provided through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS), will purchase approximately 350 tons of Concord grapes from 11 Erie County growers. The grapes will be processed into 100 percent juice concentrate by a New York company and distributed through Feeding Pennsylvania’s network of food banks.

The announcement comes several months after Refresco, a global beverage manufacturer, notified growers that it was terminating contracts in the Lake Erie grape-growing region. The cancellations left a number of growers without a market for portions of this year’s crop.

Erie County is Pennsylvania’s leading grape-producing region, and local officials have said the contract cancellations created financial uncertainty for growers already facing rising production costs.

County Executive Christina Vogel welcomed the state funding, saying it will provide a market for this year’s crop while helping supply food banks throughout Pennsylvania.

State Rep. Jake Banta also welcomed the announcement, noting that he introduced legislation in May that would expand the state’s ability to provide emergency assistance during agricultural market disruptions. Banta said the funding will help offset losses faced by growers after the contract cancellations and ensure this year’s grape harvest is put to use.

Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced the funding this week. State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined the governor in highlighting the program, which is designed to support both Pennsylvania farmers and residents facing food insecurity.

County officials also recognized local agricultural leaders and elected officials who advocated for assistance after the contract cancellations.

The Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System purchases surplus agricultural products from Pennsylvania farms and distributes them through food assistance organizations across the commonwealth.