Pittsburgh Food Justice Fund Grants Open March 10, 2025

By Blake Jackson

The City of Pittsburgh is launching the Food Justice Fund (FJF) Grassroots Grants Program, with applications opening on March 10, 2025, and a deadline of April 14, 2025.

The program will distribute $1.5 million in grants, with a maximum of $75,000 per grant, to support projects that enhance food security and strengthen the local food system.

To be eligible, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or have a fiscal sponsor, and their annual operating budget must be $500,000 or less. The FJF program is funded through the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation.

Projects must serve City of Pittsburgh communities and address one or more of the following:

• Providing free food to food-insecure residents.
• Supporting community gardens and non-profit agriculture.
• Assisting residents with enrollment in public benefits programs like SNAP, WIC, and Allegheny Go.
• Operating farmers' markets, farm stands, and related activities.
• Offering educational programs on food growing, cooking, preservation, nutrition, healthy living, and composting.
• Addressing food waste through composting and other environmental initiatives.
• Providing job training and youth employment opportunities in the food system.

“We want to empower grassroots creativity in the many vibrant organizations working to strengthen our City’s food system," said Gabbi McMorland, Food Justice Fund Program Coordinator. "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. 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 review applications for eligibility and compliance with ARPA guidelines. Eligible applications will then be scored and recommended for City Council approval by the Food Justice Fund Governance Committee, composed of residents with expertise in food systems and connections to communities facing food insecurity.

To assist applicants, the City has partnered with New Sun Rising for award management and fund distribution and with Paramount Pursuits to provide technical assistance.

Two virtual information sessions will also be held for prospective applicants on March 11, 2025, at 1 PM and March 18, 2025, at 6 PM.

For complete program details, application access, FAQs, and technical assistance, visit the City’s Food Justice Fund Engage PGH page https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/food-justice-fund.

Photo Credit: istock-elenathewise