May 7, 2025 Pittsburgh Farmers Markets to Open for the Season in May and June The CitiParks Farmers Markets will return to various locations in Pittsburgh starting next week. The four markets will open either in May or June and run through November or December. Learn More Shoppers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be able to get fresh, nutritious, and locally-grown food at the markets. Products include produce, meat, dairy, bread and baked goods, produce plants, seeds, and honey. Hot prepared food items, alcohol, and non-food items are not eligible for SNAP purchases. Food Bucks gives Fresh Access food stamp shoppers extra money to spend on fruits and vegetables. For every $5 spent in food stamps, shoppers will receive an extra $2 to spend on produce. For the 2025 season, Just Harvest will add another $3 to this as a result of a grant from the Food Justice Fund that will double SNAP benefits at all CitiParks markets. The markets – which are operated by the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation (CitiParks) – will offer expanded vendor selections, revamped layouts, and new community programming aimed at making visits more engaging and accessible. The Squirrel Hill Market opens with a special market on Sunday, May 11 to celebrate Mother’s Day. There will be a Beer Garden at the Northside Market on the last Friday of every month that will include musical entertainment. Special programming and theme weeks with community partners will be featured at the markets beginning in June. The four markets include: Squirrel Hill (Beacon/Bartlett parking lot): Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 11 to Dec. 21 East End (Liberty Green Park, Larimer Avenue): Mondays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 2 to Nov. 17 Carrick (Carrick Dairy District, 1529 Brownsville Road): Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 4 to Nov. 19 North Side (Allegheny Commons Park, East Ohio & Cedar): Fridays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from May 16 to Nov. 21 “We’re thrilled about this year’s farmers markets and the continued investment in our city’s local economy,” CitiParks Director Kathryn Vargas said. “Our goal is to support the growth of small, sustainable businesses while creating an experience that every Pittsburgher will be excited to be part of.”
February 17, 2025 Just Harvest: SNAP Users Should Be Proactive in Protecting Benefits from Scams Just Harvest – an Allegheny County organization that addresses economic injustice through a focus on public policy and food access – is encouraging residents who use SNAP to be proactive in protecting their benefits. Learn More The organization pointed out that Congress has failed to extend a provision that protects SNAP users from skimming, during which SNAP benefits are stolen off EBT cards at point-of-sale machines. As a result, any SNAP benefits stolen will no longer be replaced. Those whose benefits have been stolen should report the theft to their local County Assistance Office and request a new EBT card. Once they have obtained a new EBT card, they should routinely change their PIN number. DHS Text Alert Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services has announced plans for an upcoming text alert that warns residents of recent nationwide increases of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud. The department said the text alert would warn residents about incidents of card skimming. The text will come from the number 833-648-1964. The department also warns that DHS text messages would never include: Details about a person’s benefits, such as the amount of SNAP they are authorized to receive A request for personal information Links to unofficial sites; most texts will direct people to dhs.pa.gov, COMPASS, or a site that ends in .gov or .org.
February 11, 2025 Just Harvest Helps with SNAP, Tax Prep, and Other Services Just Harvest helps those struggling with food security in Allegheny County as well as other free services. The organization aims to reduce hunger by boosting income and access to healthy food. Services Just Harvest offers a variety of services, including: SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a public benefit that can supplement a food budget. Just Harvest helps eligible families to apply for these benefits. Benefits case advocacy: Just Harvest helps those having trouble applying for or receiving food stamps, LIHEAP, or cash assistance (TANF) through the state’s Department of Human Services. Tax help: Just Harvest provides free IRS-certified tax preparation assistance to low-income families in Allegheny County. Fresh access: Just Harvest operates a kiosk at 20 area farmers markets and farm stands in the Pittsburgh area from May to November. Customers can shop with food stamps using their ACCESS/EBT card to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, meat, and dairy products. Fresh Corners: This healthy corner store initiative partners with local store owners in parts of Allegheny County that lack supermarkets. It provides affordable access to fresh, nutritious foods. More information on the services that Just Harvest provides can be found on this flier. For information on 2025 SNAP discounts, view this flier. And for general 2025 SNAP information, check out this flier.
January 14, 2025 Connect Cards Aim to Make Allegheny Go Enrollment Easier Enrolling in Allegheny Go, the mass transit discount program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) users, will soon become easier. Learn More On February 1, the process for enrollment in the 50% discount program will become smoother through the use of new Connect Cards. The card is a reusable plastic smart card that makes paying fares faster, easier, and more secure than paying with cash. The cards are being reintroduced to combat barriers that Allegheny Go participants face when enrolling through the required Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s (PRT) Ready2Ride smart phone app. A number of groups – including Just Harvest, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Equitable and Just Greater Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council – advocated for the return of the cards. About Allegheny Go Those receiving SNAP benefits can get 50% off transit fares for buses, light rail, and other PRT services through Allegheny Go. To qualify, one must: Reside in Allegheny County Be between the ages of 12 and 64 Have been receiving SNAP benefits for at least three months; this can also include family members receiving the benefits Have a mobile device and are able to access the Ready2Ride app To sign up for Allegheny Go, users must download the app, apply for it, and then buy fares. More information on the program is available on the Allegheny Go website.
December 2, 2024 Just Harvest: Barriers to Benefits Just Harvest will release and present its new report on SNAP benefits on Dec. 5 in Pittsburgh. Learn More Just Harvest will present “Barriers to Benefits: The New State of SNAP Access in Pennsylvania” to Dr. Val Arkoosh, the state’s secretary of Human Services, and community partners. The report explores various barriers to SNAP, such as: Challenges receiving paperwork on time Difficulty communicating with the department Issues navigating the program’s requirements The event will center the experience of SNAP recipients as Just Harvest calls for improvements to state policies and practices. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 5 at CoLab18, located at 100 South Commons, Suite 100, in Pittsburgh. Those interested in attending should RSVP now.
November 26, 2024 Free Preparation for Volunteers Looking to Help This Tax Season Just Harvest is offering free preparation for volunteers who plan on helping this tax season. Learn More The coalition’s staff will provide 15 hours of free training and prepare volunteers for IRS certification. Ideally, volunteers would provide three to four hours per week from late January through mid-April. Volunteer greeters will welcome taxpayers and answer questions as well as help them to complete and organize paperwork. They will also learn how the process works and be ready to assist with three to four hours of training. In 2023, the Free Tax Prep Coalition of Southwest PA brought $11 million back into the pockets of people in the region. Since 2003, Just Harvest has completed nearly 49,000 tax returns and refunded roughly $92 million to low-income families. Volunteer sites are located in Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Registration is open for those who want to volunteer. Any further questions should be addressed to Anna Woomer, Just Harvest’s free tax prep volunteer director, at annaw@justharvest.org.
December 28, 2021 Free Tax Return Preparation in Allegheny County The Free Tax Preparation Coalition (sponsored by United Way of Southwestern PA), which provides free income tax return preparation throughout the region, will begin taking appointments in January 2022. About the Free Tax Preparation Coalition Every year, Free Tax Preparation Coalition helps low-income households file their income tax return and maximize their tax refund. Many low-income people are eligible for tax credits and other refunds when they file their yearly tax return. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty programs, and can increase a family’s annual income by as much as 45 percent. Virtual tax preparation and hybrid tax preparation options will be available to help families safely file their taxes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schedule an Appointment Appointments can be scheduled by calling 2-1-1 or by self scheduling on the 211 website starting in mid January. Virtual tax prep will also be available at GetYourRefund.org in late January. More details will be available soon on the Just Harvest website. Just Harvest is a leading member of the Free Tax Preparation Coalition. Volunteer Opportunities With the expanded tax credits in 2021, more families than ever will need access to free and reliable tax preparation. Volunteer shifts start at three hours per week. In-person and remote opportunities are available, and free tax training is provided to all volunteers. There is a need Spanish/English bilingual preparers to serve the area’s growing Hispanic population. There also are opportunities for volunteers to greet taxpayers as they arrive for their appointment and help to give them a positive experience. Visit Just Harvest’s volunteer registration website to view available volunteer shifts.
