Latest news with #ErieStrong
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uncertainly lingers for food banks, farmers following federal funding cuts
An ongoing effort to reduce government spending continued by the Trump administration as nearly $1 billion in federal funding has been cut. The funding for that program would allow food banks to buy produce from local farms. Greg Hall, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, said one of those programs is LFPA, or the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. 'We were notified that that program was going to end June 30, and it was a challenge for us. We had used it in our food purchasing budgets to kind of add the extra nutritious element,' said Hall. Pennsylvania food banks begin to feel effects from federal funding cuts Roger Schultz with John Schultz & Sons in North East said 2025 continues to be a tough year for farmers. He said the partnership with Second Harvest and his farm has been beneficial for both parties. 'We already had a lot of chaos going on in the wine industry, and this had just magnified it. We're going to grow the crop, whether it gets harvested and sold for anything remains to be seen,' said Schultz. 'It's a perfect fit for us. We sell our fruit within a hundred-mile circle, so having them purchase from us rather than trucking apples in from Washington or Michigan is way more cost-effective. It helps out the local economy here.' While production will remain the same year after year, Schultz said there's still a lot of uncertainty. Political organization holds 'Erie Strong' rally in Perry Square 'Fruit is a perennial crop. We have to go through all the motions. You're either in the production business with fruit or you're not taking care of stuff, and it's not worth anything when harvest comes. So, we're going to prune, we're going to fertilize, we're going to spray markets, uncertain,' said Schultz. Despite the uncertainty with the farmers, Hall is keeping a positive outlook towards the future. 'I remain optimistic because we have great community support, both from our community leaders, our donors, from our volunteers and in times like this we're able to lean into the community and kind of come together to find new and innovative ways to find the food our neighbors need,' said Hall. Schultz said farmers struggled last year as well, and he said this year is not looking any better. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania food banks begin to feel effects from federal funding cuts
After the Trump administration cut a nearly billion-dollar program benefiting food banks last month, a local organization helping to fight food insecurity is feeling the effects. The CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, Greg Hall, said the funding issues have been challenging and have caused a few programs to be canceled. Political organization holds 'Erie Strong' rally in Perry Square One of those programs allowed them to purchase fresh and nutritious goods directly from Pennsylvania farmers and get them to people in need. It comes at a time when the need is dramatically increasing. Gannon students file lawsuit over revoked visas, terminated records There's more than a 40% increase in households reaching out for help putting food on the table. 'We're still hopeful that some of these programs can be codified in the farm bill. We have a strong state right now and our state legislators are looking at these challenges and seeing if there are ways that Pennsylvania can kind of step in to both support our neighbors in need and farmers in Pennsylvania,' said Hall. Hall said he's still optimistic thanks to their support from community leaders, volunteers and donors who they can lean on in uncertain times, which they're always looking for more of. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Political organization holds ‘Erie Strong' rally in Perry Square
Protesters filled Perry Square Saturday afternoon to speak out about the political landscape. The political organization, 50501, brought hundreds together for a rally they called Erie Strong. 'Autism is not an epidemic' Barber Center EVP responds to Robert F. Kennedy's comments Speakers at the event emphasized the importance of upholding the constitution and ending what they believe has been executive overreach from President Trump. Organizers hoped to bring people together to stand up for individuals that they say are being marginalized by the federal government with budget cuts. Gannon students file lawsuit over revoked visas, terminated records 'Everybody needs to come together as a community right now. There is a lot of division going on, and we need to overcome that, and we can do that together,' said Christy Reeves, 50501 Movement state organizer. This event came in the wake of several other Perry Square protests against the Trump administration in recent weeks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
