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    22Nov, 2021
    Pittsburgh Public Schools Adopt the Good Food Purchasing Policy

    The Good Food Purchasing Policy (GFFP) was created by the Center for Good Food Purchasing. This policy helps institutions prioritize healthy, sustainable, regional, and fair foods in their purchasing contracts. The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council is working with Pittsburgh Public Schools and other community partners to create, promote and help implement a “Good Food Purchasing Policy” in the district.

    The GFFP emphasizes five fundamental values:

    • Nutrition
    • Environmental Sustainability
    • Regional economics
    • Valued workforce
    • Animal Welfare

    The Center for Good Food Purchasing works with agencies and institutions to commit to using language that promotes these values in their food contracts by adopting a purchasing policy.

    On Wednesday, Oct. 27, the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education passed the Good Food Purchasing Policy for the district. PPS is the second largest school district in Pennsylvania and serves over 23,000 meals daily with a food service budget around $15 million, primarily funded by meal reimbursements through federal programs.

    “Nationally, initiatives like the Good Food Purchasing Policy and Program are designed to strengthen regional food economies and protect communities, workers, and buyers from the types of food supply chain shocks that we are now seeing as a result of the pandemic,” said Sarah Buranskas, Project Manager, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council.

    The GFFP Coalition includes Pittsburgh Public Schools, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Pittsburgh parents, Center for Good Food Purchasing, Allegheny County Health Department (REACH), UPMC Children’s Hospital, Adagio Health, PPS Food Service Department, Imagine PPS, PPS Obama 6-8, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture and Humane Action Pittsburgh.

    View the press release.

    The Good Food Pittsburgh Coalition meets on the second Monday of each month from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Buranskas or Jennifer Giovanniello with any questions at [email protected] or [email protected].

    16Nov, 2021
    Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics

    The Allegheny County Health Department has teamed up with local and national partners to address disparities in African-American communities. The REACH program, a CDC-funded initiative, aims to achieve health equity and prevent chronic disease. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the coalition’s work has expanded to include not only health screenings but also vaccination clinics. 

     

    Many social, geographic, political, economic, and environmental factors can create challenges to vaccination access. According to the CDC, people from racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to quality health care or health insurance. Because of these challenges, some people are less likely to be vaccinated. 

    Since Black and Brown people are diagnosed and dying at higher rates than their white counterparts, and getting vaccinated at lower rates, the coalition hopes to achieve health equity in targeted areas throughout the Pittsburgh area. Vaccination clinics in Black communities are vital and essential to overall health and wellness.  

    H3C, Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ, Just Harvest, and Allegheny County Health Department will hold a clinic on Wednesday, November 17 from 2-6 p.m. In addition to COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, annual influenza vaccines and shingles vaccines will be administered.  The first 20 registered appointments will receive a $25 Giant Eagle gift card, amongst other gifts.  The clinic is located at the Hamilton House, 7403 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Call 412-376-7118 to schedule an appointment or transportation.