Ever since Just Harvest formed in 1987, we have been clear about why people were hungry and what could be done about it. Just Harvest has always understood that hunger was a symptom of poverty; that alleviating hunger meant attacking poverty and economic injustice; that government public policies were critical players on the scene. The advocacy principles we drew up in our first year still apply today. We saw the key role of government safety net programs-- school meals, summer food, WIC, food stamps, and welfare. We saw connections to economic policies like tax laws and minimum wage. So we organized people to exert their power and get the benefits of these programs and to promote more just economic policies. We have been equally clear about the connection to broader questions: Are the voices of poor people heard in public debate? Who really controls our food supply? What's necessary for hungry people to become self-sufficient? We've grown since 1987 but our mission statement and guiding principles remain right on target. We work to shape government policy and practice, and advocate in coalition with other organizations. Our Child Nutrition Advocacy strengthens the public safety net for hungry children. Our Welfare Justice Project works for welfare policies which foster self-sufficiency. Our Give Paychecks a Boost campaign assures that working people get the tax credits they are entitled to. Our work with the Farmers' Market Alliance helps people get fresh, nutritious, local food and also helps the farmers. Our newsletters, Just Harvest News and The Welfare Agitator, teach people about these issues and help them take action. The following principles and mission statement were written by Just Harvest's founding board and staff in 1987. They still represent our vision statement. MISSION STATEMENT Just Harvest - A Center for Action Against Hunger is a membership organization which promotes economic justice and works to influence public policy and to educate, empower, and mobilize the citizens of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania communities toward the elimination of hunger. Just Harvest advocates and works toward policies which: meet food and other human needs on an emergency and on-going basis foster an end to poverty and hunger, and to the conditions which maintain and perpetuate poverty and hunger; foster social, political and economic equality; protect the economic security, dignity and rights of low-income people; maximize participation of poor people in the matters which affect their lives; promote/advocate international policies designed to meet basic human needs of poor people, and to maximize participation by those people; empower people to act in their own behalf. Such policies include, but are not limited to, policies which: work toward adequate funding for food and other basic needs; make structural changes in existing programs to insure access to adequate assistance; insure that programs provide high quality service; insure that privacy, dignity and rights of poor people are respected; change the priorities that lead to hunger and poverty. Just Harvest is committed to working for public policy reform; resolved to carrying out that commitment by monitoring and responding to policies and legislation which affect hunger, on whatever level. Our advocacy work shall focus on national, state, local and international issues. I. NATIONAL Voter Registration Food Stamps and Federal Food Programs Regulations which hamper the work of non-profit corporations The Federal Budget Tax reform (individual and corporate) Peace and the military Boycotts of corporations whose policies may cause hunger Agriculture and land policy The impact of unemployment and other economic issues on American workers II. STATE The Pennsylvania budget and funds for food programs State Welfare Reform Pennsylvania policies relating to welfare, food and health The cost of utilities to Pennsylvania consumers The impact of unemployment and other economic issues on workers III. LOCAL The budgets of Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh The cost of utilities to local consumers Malnutrition, infant mortality, and other health problems The impact of unemployment and other economic issues on workers IV. INTERNATIONAL Observance of World Food Day in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Militarism and foreign policy Agricultural and food corporations - "agribusiness" ADVOCACY TACTICS: letter-writing testimony lobbying media work seminars and workshops boycotts demonstrations coalition-building civil disobedience organizing legal action Much has changed in our country and in our own neighborhoods since these principles were penned. Ronald Reagan was President, Dick Thornburgh was Governor, Dick Caliguiri and Tom Foerster led local government. The minimum wage was $3.35 an hour and ketchup was thinking about becoming a vegetable. But Just Harvest keeps going strong - thanks to our firm and lasting commitment to doing all it takes to bring and end to hunger and economic injustice.