In a major win for food equity in our region, the City of Pittsburgh is directing $3 million into the Food Justice Fund. Supported by the American Rescue Plan Act, created by President Biden to provide financial relief in the wake of Covid-19, this will aid numerous individuals and organizations with programs striving towards equitable and sustainable food systems. 

The initiative is divided into two distinct categories, each in control of one half of the total budget. The first tier is a grassroots grant program, awarding either 501 © 3 non-profits or individuals with a fiscal sponsor, which budgets for either coming in under $500,000. New Sun Rising, as chosen by the Pittsburgh City Council, will serve as third-party administrator for these grants, ranging from $2K to $75K to accommodate a wide variety of projects. Details on what promises to be a straight-forward application process will soon be announced; to be added to the email alert list please visit the Fund’s website and sign up.     

The other half will focus on larger scale undertakings contributing to food systems in  Pittsburgh. These will go directly from the city to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations; for these the deadline for proposals is Friday, September 13th at 3 pm, with a question submission deadline of Friday, September 6th at 4 pm.  Please visit the city’s Request for Proposal page for detailed information, and please share with anyone who might be interested!