PENNSYLVANIA (WENY) -- Governor Josh Shapiro is trying to restore federal funding for Pennsylvania farmers and food banks.

The USDA recently canceled a $13M Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program contract.  That money was to be distributed over the course of three years.  Shapiro says this contract supported 189 farms and 14 food banks across the state, and taking it away will remove access to fresh, local food for vulnerable residents.  In response, Pennsylvania is filing a direct administrative challenge.

"From the dairy farms in Cumberland and Tioga counties, to growers in Adams and Lehigh counties...This will have a statewide impact, both on the people who are hungry, who can't access the food, and the farmers who can't deliver that food," said Shapiro.

The USDA announced that the program would end earlier this month.  The Shapiro administration says Pennsylvania's contract was signed in December, and should still be honored.