About the Summit
The 2nd Annual Pittsburgh Regional Food System Summit is an annual event that brings together over 200 growers, eaters, and food system enthusiasts, supported by a USDA Regional Food Systems Partnership grant. The summit aims to equip participants with new knowledge and valuable connections to support their work and strengthen their communities. We're currently seeking dynamic presenters for our 2nd Annual Regional Food Systems Summit. This is an exciting opportunity to share your insights, experiences, and innovative ideas with a diverse group of community leaders, policymakers, and advocates.

About the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC)
The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council’s mission is to create a food system that benefits our communities, economy, and environment in ways that are just, equitable, and sustainable. Through community-led solutions, we work to reimagine our region’s food system, advocating for policies that support local food production, sustainable agriculture, equitable development, and increased access to healthy food, especially in low-income areas. The summit is organized by a dedicated 7-member planning committee!

Proposal Content
The theme of the 2025 Pittsburgh Regional Food Systems Summit is “Sowing Tomorrow, Today: Resilience, Sustainability, Community, and Justice.” This theme reflects the tremendous potential of people, partnerships, and initiatives in the Pittsburgh region to address critical food system challenges like climate change and social inequality. We encourage proposals that align with this theme, focusing on knowledge, partnerships, and innovative solutions that contribute to PFPC’s mission or have driven significant progress in the last five years.

Additionally, in light of the 5th anniversary of the Greater Pittsburgh Food Action Plan (GPFAP), we ask applicants to connect their proposal to one or more recommendations outlined in the GPFAP (see the full list on pages 16-17).

Who Should Apply
We particularly encourage those from Southwestern Pennsylvania and geographically close regions to apply. A stipend will be available for presenters who express interest, and speakers' registration fees will be waived. Technical support will include microphones and presentation screens, though video conferencing may not be available.

Speaker Core Competencies

Demonstrated experience in or knowledge relevant to the greater Pittsburgh area
Ability to effectively communicate a message, process, program, or skill to an audience
Understanding of the principles of a just, equitable, and sustainable food system, and the historical inequities that have built our current structure

Submission Instructions & Requirements

To submit a proposal, complete the form below. which will ask you to:

Select a presentation format (demo, hands-on activity, panel, group discussion, storytelling, GPFAP strategy discussion, or lecture)
Connect your session to one or more recommendations from pages 16 &17 of the Greater Pittsburgh Food Action Plan
Provide a summary of your session content
Submit a resume for each identified speaker
Affirm everyone’s seat at the table, lived experience, and the importance of food systems work

Tabling at the Summit

Organizations that want to share available services or give an overview of their programming should select the ‘Other’ option in the form (you will not need to upload a resume). Sponsoring entities will also have the opportunity to table at the 2025 summit. Send any tabling inquiries to Events@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org.

RFP Timeline

RFP Release: February 3, 2025
Application Deadline: 11:59 pm, February 21, 2025
Speaker Notifications: By Friday, February 28, 2025
Summit Date: Friday, May 16, 2025

Questions?
If you have any questions about this RFP, please email Events@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org with the subject line “Summit RFP Questions.” No phone inquiries, please.

Thank you for your submission!