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Council approves $1.65 million in Food Justice Fund awards after debate over priorities and eligibility
Summary
Council passed a resolution authorizing $1.65 million in Food Justice Fund grants managed by New Sun Rising after members debated whether the money should prioritize direct food distribution over business and capacity building.
Pittsburgh City Council on July 22 approved a resolution naming grant recipients and award amounts under the Food Justice Fund, with total awards not to exceed $1,650,000. The funding is part of a program administered by New Sun Rising and was presented by the chair of Recreation, Youth and Senior Services.
The resolution drew discussion from council members about the intended focus of the fund. Councilwoman Kale Smith said the immediate priority should be getting food into communities where people are currently struggling and announced she planned to pursue an amendment or identify alternate funding to ensure programs such as Save a Life Today and Parent Place — which she said feeds 324 families every month — are supported. She said she was concerned some organizations that feed people did not receive timely access to the grants and that she would seek to correct that.
Councilwoman Gross defended the broader approach to building food system capacity, noting the Food Justice Fund is a small share of the city’s American Rescue Plan allocation and that investments in business capacity and local food infrastructure can create jobs and longer‑term resilience. Gross said the city received $335,000,000 in ARP funds and that the Food Justice Fund asked for $3,000,000 overall, with the awards discussed at the meeting totaling $1,650,000.
After discussion, the council voted to approve the resolution (final roll call recorded 9 ayes, 0 noes). The resolution amends Resolution 5‑68 (02/2024) to name specific grant recipients and award amounts selected by the Food Justice Fund governance committee and confirms New Sun Rising as manager of disbursements.
The council’s discussion emphasized two points: some members urged prioritizing direct food distribution to households in need, and others argued for investments that build local capacity and jobs. Kale Smith indicated she would pursue amendments or identify other funding to address any eligibility or timing issues that excluded safety‑net food providers.
Next steps: the Office of Management and Budget and New Sun Rising will implement the grants and report back to council according to standard grant administration procedures.
