From Mt. Oliver to Morningside, every Pittsburgher – no matter what we look like or how much money is in our wallets – should be able to put food on the table and take care of our families. No one should go hungry or lack access to healthy food. No one should go hungry or lack access to healthy food. When they do, it's not a personal failing – it's the result of a policy choice.
 
At Just Harvest, we know that for all of us to have the resources we need to thrive, we need policies that ensure corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe. But for too long, UPMC - the biggest landowner and employer in our city - has cheated the system, claiming to be a “non-profit” while bringing in billions and not paying what they should in taxes. While the rest of us struggled under the crushing weight of a global pandemic, UPMC made record profits – their revenue more than doubled the NFL's. All while refusing to pay people the true value of their work. 

Pittsburghers believe in being good neighbors and care deeply about our communities. Some of us give our all as teachers, delivery drivers, or hospital workers, volunteering in our communities and with those in need. All while our biggest “non-profit” has gotten a free ride off what we contribute, withholding critical resources and costing our communities. When UPMC pays what they owe, we can create a robust regional food economy that benefits everyone. We can improve food security and public health by increasing the availability and accessibility of nutritious, high-quality, affordable and locally-sourced food. When UPMC pays what they owe, we can provide more resources for neighborhood farmers markets, help more convenience stores in food apartheid areas stock healthy foods, and lower barriers to food stamps and WIC access.
 
UPMC doesn't own this city. Enough is enough.
 
When we make a wealthy corporation like UPMC pay what they owe, we will have funding for the food, infrastructure, neighborhood investments, schools, and housing all of our families need. ​It's time for UPMC to be the good neighbor Pittsburghers deserve.