Greater Pittsburgh Food Action Priorities 

The Pittsburgh Food Equity Ambassadors program centers the voices of those most impacted by inequities in our food system in developing policy solutions. The program brings together a cohort of 15 residents from across the City of Pittsburgh to learn together and work alongside decision makers to bring about change. 

The subcommittee has worked closely with the City of Pittsburgh to build out a mapping tool, ground truth site viability, and identify necessary supports for budding ag businesses. Meets monthly on the first Thursday from 2-3:30 pm

Inspired by the infusion of funds from the American Rescue Plan into the City of Pittsburgh, we developed a proposal for a $10 million Food Justice Fund, to invest in a just, equitable, and sustainable food system. The fund does not currently exist, but we are advocating for its creation. Meets Biweekly on Friday from 3 -4:30 pm.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for good food jobs across our food system. This includes fair wages and working conditions, an increased minimum wage from $7.25 to at least $15/hr, expansion of legal rights and protections, unionization, access to drivers licenses regardless of immigration status, and workforce training opportunities and ladders to good jobs in food and agriculture.

Through the Greater Pittsburgh Food Action Plan community engagement sessions, transportation emerged as the top priority concern people had about the food system. As such, we are advocating for a low-income fare program, that would provide SNAP recipents with free public transportation.