The purpose of the Food Justice Fund (FJF) is to increase public investment in a just, equitable, and sustainable food system that supports Pittsburgh neighborhoods, our local economy, and the environment.

The FJF was established by City Council in July 2023 in response to community advocates with the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council organizing to build food sovereignty and end food apartheid in their neighborhoods.

The FJF aims to support grassroot creative efforts by increasing opportunities to grow, learn about, and eat healthy, affordable, and culturally-relevant foods. Funding selections will prioritize projects serving City of Pittsburgh communities of higher need, with strong connections to the communities they serve. Primary funding for the FJF came from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Phase two funding of the Food Justice Fund prioritized grassroots organizations. A total of $1.5 million in grant awards were distributed to a total of 30 local food justice nonprofit organizations that serve Pittsburgh residents.

Phase two projects must provide one or more of the following services:

• Distributing free food/meals
• Supporting community gardens and non-profit urban agriculture
• Enrolling residents in public benefits (Ex. SNAP, WIC, Allegheny Go)
• Operating farmers markets (indoors or outdoors) or farm stands
• Offering educational programming about growing, cooking, or preserving food, nutrition, healthy living, or composting
• Addressing issues in food waste through composting or other environmental efforts
• Job training or youth employment in fields related to the food system

For a full list of phase two grant recipients along with a brief project description for each awardee, visit the "document library" section on this page.

Phase one funding of the Food Justice Fund focused on large-scale investments in the Pittsburgh food system. The city awarded a total of $1.1 million in late 2024 after an extensive RFP process.

Phase one grant recipients along with their outlined deliverables include:

• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will distribute food to small food pantries across the city.
• Grow Pittsburgh will strengthen urban agriculture around the city, including urban farms and produce distributions, a farmers market, support for dozens of community gardens, and collaborations with Freeman Family Farm and Greenhouse, Mwanakuche Farm, Oasis Farm and Fishery, Operation Better Block, and Sankofa Village Community Garden,
• Just Harvest will enhance their Food Bucks program at city-run farmers markets, doubling the purchasing power of shoppers using SNAP (food stamps) while also supporting local growers.
• Jasmine Nyree Homes will start a daily meal program for seniors, children, and people with disabilities at their campus in the West End neighborhood of Sheraden.

The City of Pittsburgh has selected 15 community members to join the Food Justice Fund (FJF) Governance Committee, which will recommend FJF grant awards for approval by City Council.

The FJF committee is intended as a way to share power with and learn from the experience of communities affected by food apartheid, food insecurity, and lack of access to resources. Each Committee member brings their own food systems expertise including community connections and their own, lived experience.

Committee members include:

• Alyson McAtee (she/her; Garfield): Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Garfield Community Farm
• Angela Williams (she/her; Perry South): Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. Board Vice-Chair, Northside Leadership Conference Board Member, Charles Street Area Corporation Executive Director
• Councilwoman Deb Gross (she/her; Highland Park) City of Pittsburgh Councilwoman for District 7
• Darius Wallace (he/him; Marshall-Shadeland): Office of Mayor Ed Gainey
• Dina “Free” Blackwell (she/her; Homewood): House of Manna, Homewood Renaissance Association Founder, Freedom Foods CO-OP Market Founding Organizer
• Dr. Noble Maseru (he/they; Friendship): Professor, Public Health Practice and Director, Social Justice Equity and Faculty Engagement at the University of Pittsburgh
• James Reid (he/him; Westwood): Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, Invest PGH
• Jordan Shoenberger (he/him; Brookline): Abiding Missions Executive Director, Hilltop Food Access Collective Chair
• Lisa Freeman, MSW, MPA (she/her; Manchester): Freeman Family Farm & Greenhouse Owner
• Loukeisa Denise Edwards (she/her; Allentown): Triple Moon Alchemy Owner, Grow Pittsburgh Education & Outreach Coordinator
• Merecedes J. Williams (she/her; East Hills): Pittsburgh Public Schools Director of Communications/Stakeholder Engagement, 412 Food Rescue Hero
• Pastor Lutual M. Love, Sr. (he/him; Hazelwood): Pastor of Praise Temple Deliverance Church, Greater Hazelwood Coalition Against Racial and Ethnic Disparities (GHCARED) Founder

• Stephen O’Brion (he/him; Downtown): Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Advocacy Coordinator, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council Board Member
• Win Nunley (they/all pronouns; East Liberty): Black Dream Escape Co-Founder