Alice Gabriel oversees four double garden beds, specifically reserved for the Bread of Life Pantry, managing all aspects of cultivation, including, planting, weeding, general maintenance, and coordination of volunteers. In addition, she secures necessary funding and organizes the weekly harvest and delivery of fresh produce to the pantry. She maintains a judgement-free space that is deeply valued by many in the community.

Ash Chan (aka Farmer THEMbo) is a community and self-studied HERBAN farmer, cultural organizer, herbalist, earthtender, and educator dedicated to agroecology, emergent strategy, and community care. They have tended to plants, land, people, and cultural practices most of their life - growing at home, at community gardens, with schools, and now as a diversified vegetable grower. They grow culturally significant crops and connect learners of many ages and lived experiences to food and medicine ways through educational programs, mentorship, mutual aid, storytelling, and events. Rooted in food, land stewardship, joy-making, and skill-sharing, Ash works to cultivate equitable, just and regenerative foodsheds, ecosystems and farm cultures that center ancestral traditions, community health, food sovereignty, and interdependence. They are a member of the PA Food Policy Council Urban Agriculture Working Group and has been a steering committee member for local projects that support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ farmers in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Beth, co-owner of Third Space Bakery, has combined her passion for food and community to make a meaningful impact in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood. Since opening about a year ago, the bakery has become a hub for fresh, locally sourced baked good and creative cooking classes taught in its on-site teaching kitchen. Beth emphasizes using local ingredients whenever possible and is committed to supporting those facing food insecurity. Through her work, she and her partners at Third Space Bakery have become vital contributors to the neighborhood’s well-being and resilience.

Breanna leads a Spring and Summer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that provides fresh, affordable produce to her neighborhood. She delivers locally grown fruits and vegetables to a nearby food pantry and also operates a weekly farmstand, making it easy for residents to access healthy food.

Chef Mike is a passionate advocate for fresh, locally sourced produce, making vegetables the star of every dish he creates at the resturant EYV. His cooking celebrates the richness of local agriculture, showcasing how flavorful plant-based dishes can be. 

Flannel Roots has become a trusted presence in the community by offering a welcoming, safe space or people to reconnect with forgotten or untaught skills. Since 2021, their self-serve farm stand has provided affordable, homegrown produce from their surplus harvests. Their work is rooted in community and travels to share what they’ve grown and learned, continuously expanding their impact.

Greg Short has been a dedicated urban farmer in Pittsburgh since the 1970s, inspiring generations to grow food without pesticides or chemicals. Known for his generosity, Greg shares the fruits of his labor freely—bushels of potatoes, armful of greens, and bags of tomatoes. He’s a familiar face at the Garden Resource Center where he volunteers. One of his proudest accomplishments is developing his own variety of kale, lovingly named “Kathy Kale” in honor of his wife.

Isabelle founded Grace’s Garden as a school project to address food insecurity in Oakland, transforming a large plot of land near Carlow University into a thriving garden of herbs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Working closely with Carlow’s Purple Door food pantry, she ensures that fresh, nutritious produce reaches students and community members in need. In its first harvest season, the garden donated over 70 pounds of produce.

As Director of the Mercy Service at Carlow University, Kathleen is deeply committed to supporting both the Carlow community and the wider Oakland and Pittsburgh areas. She oversees the Purple Door Food Pantry, which provides essential food resources to students, faculty, staff, and local residents. Kathleen secures funding, organizes volunteers, and raise awareness. She also connects students with Pittsburgh’s broader food resource network. Kathleen also supports Grace’s Garden, mentoring student leaders and building bridges between the campus and the broader community.

Mahogany played a key role in launching and managing the Community Allotment Garden at Garfield Community Farm, working closely with over 20 neighborhood members to support their food-growing goals. She was also a driving force behind the “Food and Knowledge to the People Project,” which fosters peer-to-peer learning through free community workshops, gardening resources, and an inclusive, empowering environment for local growers.

Maren Cooke is a passionate food justice advocate and co-founder of the ReImagine Food Systems (RiFS) project with coordinator Rhea Homa. Through RiFS, she supports community members in growing food, sharing knowledge, and fostering connections. A Phipps Master Gardener, she has taught in school and community gardens including Colfax K-8 and Langley Middle School, as well as her own food forest and rooftop garden. She has also volunteered with BUGS, Sankofa Village Community Farm, and 412 Food Rescue.

ReImagine Food Systems’ Backyard Garden Program is a grassroots initiative aimed at increasing access to fresh, healthy produce and pollinator-friendly spaces through home gardening. By providing raised beds, soil testing, seeds, plants, and hands-on education, the program removes barriers to growing food in local yards. 

Tim leads Greentech Rising, a local organization focused on transforming vacant land into vibrant community gardens. He built the Unity Garden in Wilkinsburg from the ground up, creating a space that provides fresh produce, supports pollinators, offers educational opportunities, and brings neighbors together.

Valerie is the tireless force behind the Greater Hazelwood Community Gardens, often found weeding, planting, and maintaining the space on her own with unwavering dedication. Through her work, residents enjoy fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and gain hands-on agriculture knowledge. Valerie also partners with local organizations to host garden events.