Pittsburgh Food Justice Fund Grants Open March 10, 2025!

Published on March 06, 2025

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PITTSBURGH’S FOOD JUSTICE FUND GRASSROOTS GRANTS PROGRAM APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 10, 2025 

Pittsburgh, PA – The City of Pittsburgh will open applications for the Food Justice Fund (“FJF”) Grassroots Grants Program on Monday, March 10, 2025. The application submission deadline is Monday, April 14, 2025. 

The FJF will distribute a total of $1.5 million in grants of up to $75,000 each for projects serving city residents that increase food security and/or strengthen the food system. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit or be represented by a fiscal sponsor and have an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less. The FJF program is entirely funded by an allocation of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.  

Projects must serve City of Pittsburgh communities with one or more of the following services: 

  • Providing free food to food insecure residents  

  • 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

Applicants can find the online application and complete program details, review frequently asked questions and access technical assistance on the City’s Food Justice Fund Engage PGH page at bit.ly/PGHFJF or https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/food-justice-fund.   

“We want to empower grassroots creativity in the many vibrant organizations working to strengthen our City’s food system. Food security is a major issue, and addressing it requires investing in community-led solutions that increase access to healthy, culturally relevant food at a neighborhood level,” said Gabbi McMorland (she/her), Food Justice Fund Program Coordinator. “Many thanks to the advocates, elected officials, and City staff who brought this program’s vision to life over the past few years.” 

The City will evaluate all applications to ensure the eligible use of Federal ARPA funds. After that, eligible applications will be scored and recommended for City Council approval by the Food Justice Fund Governance Committee, a group of City residents with food systems expertise and strong connections to communities experiencing food insecurity.  

The City has contracted with New Sun Rising to assist with award management services and fund distribution. The City has also contracted Paramount Pursuits to provide technical assistance available to all interested applicants during the application process. 

Additionally, the City will host two virtual information sessions for prospective applicants.  

  • Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 1 PM 

Registration Link:  https://www.bigmarker.com/paramount/food-justice-fund-grant-information-session 

  • Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 6PM 

Registration Link:  https://www.bigmarker.com/paramount/food-justice-fund-grant-information-session-3-18-2025 

Learn more and access the grant application HERE.

Olga George
olga.george@pittsburghp.gov
412-627-0679

 

 

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