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WHEREAS, it's estimated that over 60,000 of Pittsburgh's residents experience food insecurity regularly, meaning that one in 5 residents (or one-in-three brown residents) struggle to have affordable, nutritionally beneficial, and culturally appropriate food to live a healthy, active life; and
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WHEREAS, the Feed PGH Report outlines food insecurity within the City and identifies 23 Healthy Food Priority Areas for policy action; and
WHEREAS, US Census data estimates that over 16,00 residents in the City are living below the poverty level and not receiving SNAP benefits; and
WHEREAS, Feeding America estimates that 1 in 6 children in the Greater Pittsburgh area face hunger today, overall, 1 in 9 individuals; and
WHEREAS, food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are the first line of defense in fighting food insecurity through proven methods that lift families out of poverty and directly put money into the local food economy; and
WHEREAS, the City, along with partners from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Just Harvest, The Food Trust, Jewish Family, and Community Services, The United Way of Southwestern PA, North Hills Community Outreach, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Casa San Jose, OPDC, Three Rivers Youth, CMU Center for Data Science and Public Policy, the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, CitiParks Healthy Active Living Centers, the City's 311 Call Center and the Office of Community Health and Safety have collaborated on campaigns to increase SNAP enrollment; and
WHEREAS, May marks the start of our local farmers market season, and through Just Harvest's Fresh Access program, residents can use SNAP benefits at farmers' markets throughout the City.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that, I, Ed Gainey, Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh and the President of Council, do hereby proclaim May 31, 2023, as SNAP Day in the City of Pittsburgh.