SCHUMER PRESSES USDA TO HELP WESTERN NEW YORK GRAPE FARMERS AFTER CONCORD GRAPE CONTRACTS WERE CANCELED, URGES GRAPE JUICE PURCHASE FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Lake Erie Region Is Largest Grape Growing Area East Of Rocky Mountains - Supporting 2,000 Jobs - But Earlier This Year Major NY Grape Processor Abruptly Canceled Contracts With Western NY Farmers

Schumer Explains USDA Has Authority To Purchase Excess Grapes For Domestic Food Assistance Programs & Help Keep Upstate Concord Grape Farmers Growing

Schumer To USDA: Buy Juice And Boost Growers!

As Western New York grape farmers are facing growing uncertainty - after their contracts for this season were suddenly terminated - U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer stood at the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory and called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase concord grape juice for use by domestic nutrition programs across the country. Earlier this year, Refresco suddenly canceled contracts with approximately 126 farmers across New York and Pennsylvania after they had already invested in preparing their vineyards for this season, leaving local growers in a lurch. Schumer is pushing the USDA to help Western New York's farmers, many of whom rely on contracts with Refresco, by purchasing some of this surplus product to ensure the continued success of Concord grape growers in New York.

"Upstate New York is known for the top-notch quality of our Concord grapes, which are made into everything from juices to jellies and are an important part of our state's agricultural economy. But earlier this year, on top of skyrocketing costs, many Western New York farmers had their Concord grape contracts cancelled by Refresco, leaving growers in a lurch and without the certainty they rely on to know they'll have a market for their harvest," said Senator Schumer. "That's why I'm calling on the USDA to buy Concord grape juice for domestic nutrition programs and boost our growers because when the farmers who feed our families need help from forces beyond their control, we need to act. I've worked with USDA on surplus grape purchases before, and I'm urging the USDA to again provide certainty to Upstate farmers, put American-grown grapes to good use, and strengthen the domestic food supply chain we all depend on. It's a win-win-win."

Chautauqua County is the leading grape-producing county in the state and the largest grape-growing county in the country outside of California. Every year, about 800 growers produce 150,000 tons or more of grapes on more than 22,000 acres on the Lake Erie Plain across northern Pennsylvania and Western New York. Products like juices and jellies that come from Concord grapes are processed locally and sold across the world. The Cornell Cooperative Extension estimates that the Lake Erie Grape Belt region supports about 2,000 jobs, contributes upwards of $300 million in economic impact, and supports a fruit and vegetable processing industry that employs over 5,000 workers.

"Our grape growers are an important part of Chautauqua County's agricultural heritage and local economy, and we appreciate our federal partners, including Senator Schumer, for recognizing the challenges facing our growers and working to support them," said Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. "The grape industry supports thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to our regional economy, making it important that we continue to work together to ensure our growers have the resources and support they need to remain successful. We are grateful for the continued advocacy and partnership of our federal representatives as we work to strengthen and protect the future of the grape industry throughout the Lake Erie Grape Belt."

"We are grateful to Senator Schumer for stepping up for our growers during this unprecedented crisis," said New York Wine and Grape Foundation Executive Director Sam Filler. "The immediate relief a Section 32 purchase would provide is essential-but we also recognize that the Concord grape industry needs a long-term strategic roadmap to build resilience. That's why we're excited about the potential for Specialty Crop Block Grant funding that we expect to be announced this Fall to support comprehensive industry planning. Together, these investments-emergency relief now, plus strategic planning for tomorrow-give us the real opportunity to turn this crisis into a catalyst for innovation and sustainable growth in the Lake Erie Grape Belt."

"New York Farm Bureau appreciates Senator Chuck Schumer's support of New York grape growers in the Lake Erie region, who suffered the abrupt loss of market earlier this year due to Refresco's cancellation of contracts. This loss of market has already posed a substantial economic risk to growers. If USDA were to purchase these grapes through Section 32 funds, it would not only provide immediate relief to New York grape growers, but it would also allow grapes to be included in the school lunch program. With harvest season quickly approaching, the time is now to help our New York grape growers," said David Fisher, President of the New York Farm Bureau.

"For 150 years, the western New York grape industry has grown in good economic times and endured through challenging times because of the strong partnership between the western New York family farmers, university research and extension personnel, and local, state, and federal legislatures. Currently, global grape over-production is depressing our local market and this is when the industry-university-government relationship is needed most. We are appreciative of the support from Senator Schumer for programs to purchase surplus juice for domestic programs and to support innovative research through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative are critical for the industry to thrive and grow into the future," said Dr. Terry Bates, Director of Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab and Cornell AgriTech

"Our growers have faced real headwinds these past few seasons, and this kind of federal support makes a tangible difference. Across Chautauqua County and the local region, 126 farms across 2,500 acres of Concord grapes were affected by the sudden loss of a processor contract, putting these farms and businesses at serious risk. We're grateful to Senator Schumer for recognizing the importance of the Concord grape industry to Chautauqua County and for pushing the USDA to act," said Robert Patterson, Jr., President, Chautauqua County Farm Bureau and Westfield Maid Cooperative.

"As the owner of multiple agr-businesses, I am experiencing the economic ripple-effects of canceled grape contracts by multiple processors. My vineyard operation will have in excess of 600 tons of grapes with no home this fall, and my equipment dealership is suffering as a result of numerous customers facing steep financial losses due to canceled grape contracts. Rising input costs in 2026 due to a trade war and an apparently endless Iranian war have made for very difficult times in the Agricultural sector. Senator Schumer's efforts working in conjunction with the USDA to assist with the current oversupply issue is greatly appreciated and prove that some lawmakers still care about our nation's food supply and the well-being of those who produce those products," said Chad Schofield, owner of Schofield Farms LLC, Westfield Ag and Turf, Affinity Agriculture LLC, and Repurposed Organics, LLC.

Western New York's grape industry is an economic anchor for the state's agricultural industry, as Lake Erie's shallow depth extends the growing season by moderating temperatures as it keeps air moving when grapes are at risk for frost. The region extends far beyond Chautauqua County. Niagara County is home to the Niagara Escarpment American Viticultural Area, which contains nearly 60 farms across more than 1,000 acres of vineyard. The Niagara grape was created in Niagara County by cross-breeding Concord and Cassady grapes and is now a staple for making white grape juice.

In March, Refresco, a major processor for many New York grape farmers, canceled all of its contracts with grape growers. Refresco bought from 126 grape growers across New York and Pennsylvania in the Lake Erie region. Since then, New York's grape growers have been struggling in the face of an uncertain future. Schumer explained in a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins that purchasing grapes for use by domestic nutrition programs will alleviate stress for Concord grape growers in Western New York who now do not have a buyer for their crops.

Section 32 funds are authorized by Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 and used by USDA to purchase agricultural products, which are in turn used for nutrition programs such as the school lunch program. These "bonus buys" have been used by USDA in the past to stabilize agricultural markets, support communities, and deliver nutritious food to those who need it most. In fact, earlier this year, Schumer fought to secure exactly such a purchase by USDA to stabilize prices for New York grape farmers. Section 32 has also been deployed successfully for Concord grapes in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2017, and 2024.

Schumer explained farmers are also facing rising costs across the board. A recent report from New York State showed the state's farmers faced increased expenses of $20,000 annually. According to a recent report from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee - Minority, the average farmer spent as much as $1,500 more to refill their farm's on-site fuel tank compared to the same high point during the 2025 planting season. In New York, it cost $1,494 more to fill up a typical farm fuel tank, $199 more to fill up a typical grain truck, and $243 more to fill up a typical tractor compared to last year. The New York Farm Bureau revealed fertilizer prices have skyrocketed since last year, from approximately $400 a ton to $580 a ton, a more than 40% increase, with anhydrous ammonia now over $1,000 a ton. Farmers across the country have reported delaying or even forgoing fertilizer purchases due to cost spikes, leading them to plant fewer acres and risk future profits.

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