Our Mission.
Just Harvest works to promote a just system of food access by addressing the root causes of hunger – systemic poverty and inequity – through policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, community-based solutions, and connecting people to benefits.
Just Harvest continues to be guided by its mission and founding principles. These guiding ideas are built on the understanding that hunger is a symptom of poverty, and poverty is a product of economic and political injustice. Public policies frame the structure of our society, and it is through changing these policies that we can best address hunger and poverty.
Our Vision.
We envision Allegheny County and beyond as a place where no one goes hungry or lacks access to healthy food, and everybody, regardless of their identity or background, has the resources they need to thrive.
We envision a government that is responsive to the basic needs of its people, prioritizes the well-being of people and communities over corporations and the wealthy, and ensures that the voices and perspectives of historically marginalized groups serve as the foundation for public policy.
We envision communities whose members can all live in dignity, and who are empowered with the rights and opportunities that democracy and equity require.
Our Core Values.
Everyone has a fundamental right to food. Hunger is unacceptable.
All people, regardless of their economic circumstances, are entitled to dignity, rights, and a voice in policies that affect them.
Hunger is political, and to end it requires collective political will.
Sound public policy that promotes economic justice is the first and best line of defense against hunger and poverty.
Just Harvest constituents’ perspectives shape the organization’s approach to addressing policy issues and providing services.