Bringing together partners, advocates, and leaders from across Southwestern Pennsylvania to shape a more equitable and sustainable regional food system.

In its first year, the Summit drew over 200 participants for a day of inspiration, collaboration, and action. In 2025, following a year of focused Summit Spin-Off sessions on land access, compost, and food justice, we’re returning to a one-day regional convening that builds on this collective momentum, during a milestone year marking 10 years of Food Day in Pittsburgh.

This year’s Summit will explore how we can collectively dismantle food apartheid, strengthen local food economies, and create pathways toward food sovereignty and community resilience, while also addressing current trends and policy needs that directly impact the regional food system. From local governance and funding to workforce development, land access, and food security, we’ll connect the dots between urgent challenges and actionable solutions.

About the Summit Planning Committee

The Summit Planning Committee will guide the visioning, design, and coordination of the 2026 Regional Food Systems Summit. Members will collaborate closely with PFPC staff and partners to shape the event’s themes, programming, and community engagement strategy.

Time Commitment

Term: December 2025 – June 2026

• Meetings: 1.5 hours, twice monthly (one meeting in December and one in May)

• Event Participation: 3 hours on the day of the Summit

• Post-Event: One debrief/wrap-up meeting after the event

Who Should Apply

We welcome individuals who:

• Live or work in Southwestern Pennsylvania

• Bring lived or professional experience related to food access, urban agriculture, community health, or policy advocacy

• Have an interest in dismantling food apartheid and advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice

• Value collaboration and cross-sector partnerships

Community leaders, youth advocates, farmers, educators, organizers, and policy professionals are all encouraged to apply.

Why Get Involved

Joining the Summit Planning Committee is an opportunity to:

• Help shape one of the region’s most important food system convenings

• Elevate the voices and solutions of communities most affected by inequity

• Influence conversations around emerging food policy needs in our region

• Strengthen your connections with other advocates, organizations, and changemakers

• Be part of creating a roadmap toward a just and thriving regional food system

Application Timeline

• Applications Open: 10/30/2025

• Deadline to Apply: 11/20/2025

• Selection: PFPC will notify those selected ONLY by 12/1/2025.

• Committee Term: December 2025 – June 2026

Only individuals residing or working within Southwestern Pennsylvania will be considered.

Stay tuned - this page will later include the Call for Presenters, Agenda, and Registration details as the Summit approaches.

The 2025 Summit Will:

• Bring together diverse stakeholders across the regional food system to establish shared priorities and goals.

• Foster collaboration and strengthen relationships across sectors.

• Build awareness, engagement, and momentum for collective action toward an equitable and resilient regional food system.

• Serve as the official launch of PFPC’s membership program for individuals, marking a major milestone in community participation and long-term sustainability.