Statement of Solidarity & Action Black Lives Matter

The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council mourns and denounces the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Antwon Rose, and far too many Black Americans. We recognize that systemic racial inequity and terror inflict trauma on Black Americans and conflict with the ideals of our nation. We reject racism in all of its forms and join with people of all backgrounds to express our anger, grief, love, and commitment to meaningful change.

All American systems, including our food and farming system, are deeply rooted in racial oppression and exploitation, and institutional violence. We stand with our fellow Black citizens who are driving change in the greater Pittsburgh food system — the farmers, chefs, activists, leaders, educators, food chain and restaurant workers, charitable food providers, and consumers — that live this struggle every day.

We must redouble our efforts to use our voices, spaces, dollars, and networks to denounce violence and demand change. Toward these ends, the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council will:

• Seek a deeper understanding of public budgets and assess investments made in local food systems and communities (via direct project funding, staffing commitments, and initiatives) that involve and impact Pittsburgh’s Black communities;
• Advocate for policies that center racial equity at all levels of government through effective engagement of our broad network, frontline communities, government partners and public resources to more effectively address food systems challenges such as land and healthy food access, high-quality food programs for children and youth, food procurement policies, and public support for urban agriculture, farmers markets and food businesses;
• Create inclusive spaces of learning, knowledge and relationship building;
• Build community power by working closely with Black-led organizations and impacted communities to align our efforts;
• Support community wealth building by investing in and supporting Black-owned businesses;
• Call upon the leaders of Allegheny County and all municipalities within the county to dedicate time and funding to actualize the declarations of racism as a public health crisis and effect the necessary reforms to end police brutality and racial injustice;
• Commit to engaging our staff and Steering Committee in reflection and action-oriented work that advances racial justice in food systems and beyond. There is much work to do within ourselves, our organization, and our network.

We are all in.

To health, healing, and justice,

Dawn Plummer, Executive Director, On behalf of staff

Miriam (Mim) Seidel, Co- chair & Dennis P. McManus, Co-chair, On behalf of the PFPC Steering Committee