Green Harvest Program

The Green Harvest sustainable food system project was developed by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in 1991 to generate nutritious produce for low income people while facilitating agricultural sustainability, economic development, and urban beautification in communities it serves. The program encourages self-sufficiency within local communities by teaching gardening skills, providing Food Bank member agencies with easier access to locally produced fruits and vegetables, and promoting the local economy with small business development. The Food Bank also attempts to link Green Harvest's efforts with those of other projects designed to address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Through its four programs -- the community gardens program, the Longview Food Bank Farm, the gleaning program and the Farmstands Project -- Green Harvest succeeds in providing low-income individuals fresh fruits and vegetables, in raising local awareness about environmental values, in strengthening inner-city communities, and in reducing the total environmental impact of local agriculture.

The goal of this program is to provide nutritious food to low-income people and to promote sustainable agriculture practices.

In 1994, the Green Harvest Program generated more than 120,000 pounds of food for the hungry. Since 1991, Green Harvest has helped residents in 12 communities establish community gardens. These gardens have yielded more than 30,000 pounds of organic food that has been distributed free of charge to community residents. Since its inception in 1993, the Farmstands have distributed nearly 60,000 pounds of produce in five urban communities and raised more than $19,000. Since its beginning in 1992, the Longview Food Bank has grown and distributed nearly 70,000 pounds of free produce to Food Bank member agencies.