USDA Purchases $20 Million in Surplus Concord Grape Juice

The United States Department of Agriculture announced a $20 million purchase of surplus Concord and Niagara grape juice to support growers in the Lake Erie Grape Belt. Authorized under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the "bonus buy" will provide the juice for federal nutrition programs, including school meals.

The intervention follows a March decision by Refresco Beverages to cancel contracts with approximately 126 growers across New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The company cited "sustained grape market challenges and supply imbalances," leaving roughly 2,600 acres of grapes without a buyer after farmers had already invested in the 2026 season. Market instability was further compounded by a large 2025 harvest and declining juice consumption.

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy, urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to stabilize the regional economy, which supports roughly 2,000 jobs and generates over $300 million in economic impact. While lawmakers hailed the move as a victory for Upstate New York and Pennsylvania farmers, some growers argued the funding is a short-term fix that fails to address the loss of processing capacity or root industry-wide problems.