Senator Jay Costa to visit East Liberty Farmers Market with Adagio Health CEO BJ Leber on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh, Pa − August 8, 2019 − Introducing farm fresh produce to more local communities is the driving force behind a recent partnership between Adagio Health and Senator Jay Costa of Pennsylvania’s 43rd District. The Pennsylvania Senator and the healthcare organization teamed up as part of a community-wide education and nutrition effort meant to engage and inform local consumers.
“Every summer, Adagio Health employees from our Power Up nutrition team are stationed at local Farmers Markets—providing food demonstrations, handing out recipe cards, and answering questions about how to prepare local produce,” said Adagio Health President and CEO, BJ Leber. “This year, partnering with Senator Jay Costa has allowed us to expand our outreach efforts, specifically in the 43rd District. With his support, we’ve been able to provide nutrition education and support in more communities to more consumers.”
Making sure local residents have access to fresh, healthy foods along with understanding how better nutrition can improve their lives is important to Senator Costa.
“Access and affordability of healthy food is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle,” said Senator Costa. “Local farmers markets provide that in so many communities in our area, and I’m thrilled to partner with Adagio Health this summer to help folks in the 43rd district get more fruits and veggies.”
In many communities, Farmers Markets offer access to fresh produce that may otherwise be very limited, especially when there isn’t a grocery store nearby. Access is critical, according to Power Up Program Manager Britney Zwergel, but she also says that when it comes to good nutrition, the team wants to educate and inspire.
“If you tell someone they should eat broccoli, sure, they might know that broccoli would probably be good for them,” said Zwergel. “But if they don’t have access to broccoli, if they don’t live near a grocery store that sells produce or if they don’t have transportation to a grocery store – they can’t buy broccoli so they’re not going to eat it. And if they do manage to obtain it, if they don’t have the skills or understanding of how to cook it or how to prepare it – they’re once again not going to eat broccoli. Our goal is to provide the skills and education for broccoli and beyond. We want to keep it simple, and fun, and easily accessible.”
And one of the biggest success stories so far this summer? Beets!
“At the Squirrel Hill Farmers Market, one of the local farmers across from our booth was selling beets. Well, we happened to be making and providing samples of beet hummus that day. He later told us he’s never sold so many beets in one day!” said Ms. Zwergel. “With our demonstration, we were able to help a local farmer increase his sales, which is great, and were able to inspire customers at the market to try something new and healthy.”
Other popular offerings by the Adagio Health Power Up team this summer: water infused with everything from cucumber to strawberries to blueberries … and simple summer fare like strawberry salsa.
“I am proud of our Power Up team and so grateful to Senator Costa for his support of our efforts,” said Ms. Leber. “Many people know Adagio Health as a provider of reproductive healthcare services for women and men in this region, but may not realize that nutrition education is also a really big part of what we do. It’s part of our approach to better health and wellness from a whole-body perspective. We are so glad to have had the opportunity to work with more local communities thanks to Senator Costa. And summer’s not over yet! See you at your local Farmers Market.”
Adagio Health’s Power Up program is a SNAP-Education program funded by the USDA. It is designed to encourage students (Preschool through 12th grade), adults, seniors and communities to choose healthier foods and live active lifestyles.
About Adagio Health – Since 1971, Adagio Health has provided health and wellness services throughout 23 counties in western Pennsylvania, and now, seven counties in West Virginia. Services include family planning and reproductive healthcare for women and men, breast and cervical cancer screening, community education and nutrition services. Most of the nearly 110,000 patients receiving services are women who are uninsured, underinsured or need access to confidential reproductive health and family planning services. These services are provided through funding from foundations, the State and Federal government and in partnership with a variety of local organizations and other funders.
About Senator Jay Costa – Senator Costa has dedicated his life to public service, and making sure state government is used as a force for good – protecting and providing opportunities for those who need it most. Throughout his career, Senator Costa has been a strong, effective promoter of education. Seeking additional funding for K-12, higher education and pre-school, he is recognized as one of the state’s leaders in education.
Recognizing his accomplishments, Senator Costa was elected Leader by his colleagues in 2010.
Beyond his legislative work, Senator Costa has served on the board of trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, is treasurer of the Community College of Allegheny County board. He serves on boards including: the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Senator John Heinz History Center, 3 Rivers Wet Weather, Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, CLO, Forest Hills Community Development Corporation and a life trustee of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
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Harrisburg, Pa. − August 1, 2019 − Today, Democratic members from the Pennsylvania House and Senate are asking Governor Tom Wolf to declare a state of emergency to address the needs created by the elimination of the state’s General Assistance program.
General Assistance was terminated, effective August 1st and there are no state resources lined up to fill the gaps that this will leave. Eleven thousand Pennsylvanians, representing every county in this state, will no longer receive roughly $200 per month that they had been using to cover the costs of utilities, transportation, health care, and toiletries, as they wait for more permanent assistance programs or work toward self-sufficiency.
In their letter to Governor Wolf, elected officials wrote:
The value of the GA program was the flexibility it offered to people that were desperately in need of basic resources. Housing, healthcare co-payments, transportation access, toiletries, and much more could be attained though the cash assistance. But it also makes putting the puzzle back together for how to help the individuals even more difficult. Each of these services is provided by a different agency or level of government. The opportunity provided by an emergency declaration is an organized response for data collection, data sharing, program coordination, and resource direction that does not exist in the daily operation of state government. Data sharing alone has been a major hurdle for reaching out and coordinating a response.
Much more will need to be done to assist soon-to-be former GA recipients in getting the assistance they need to keep their lives in order. We have heard story after story about how the GA program has lifted people out of poverty and turned their lives around. It has kept people in homes, provided life saving healthcare, or transportation to get people access to care. We need to find a way to continue to help these people and an emergency declaration will help get the right people to the table for coordinating the response. The opioid emergency declaration has proven your success in this approach and can be replicated here.
Download the full letter here →
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Pittsburgh, Pa. – August 1, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced more than $8 million in state grants that will go to projects in the 43rd senatorial district.
“I’m proud to have advocated for these projects in our area, and excited to see them come to fruition thanks to this investment from the state,” said Senator Costa. “Each of the projects funded today are vastly different, and I believe will improve the lives of our residents and as well as bolster our region’s economy through the development process.”
The funding comes from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
One of the projects funded today will be the Carnegie Library of Homestead. They’ll receive $500,000 to renovate their locker rooms and pool, making the entire facility more wheelchair accessible.
“The Carnegie Library of Homestead provides superb services to our residents, and facilities like that deserve to have the most up-to-date resources at their disposal,” said Representative Austin Davis, who represents Homestead said. “I can’t wait to see all the positive that come from this substantial funding.”
Also with today’s funds, ACTION Housing will move forward with the redevelopment of the old Squirrel Hill Theater, which has been vacant since 2010. They’ll receive $1,000,000 to create a six-story building on the site.
“In order for our city and region to live up to its “most live-able” title and remain affordable for both new and long-time residents, mixed-use property is vital,” said Representative Dan Frankel, who represents the area.
As the Frick Art & Historical Center moves forward with its mission, they will receive $1,250,000 to tackle major capital projects.
“By helping save the cultural landmarks of our city, we are preserving our past for future generations,” Representative Ed Gainey, who represents this area, said. “When we invest in these projects, whether the redevelopment of a brownfield or the preservation of local history, we are investing in the people in our communities, and encouraging businesses and community organizations to do the same.”
Other projects funded today in Senator Costa’s district include:
- $500,000 for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to renovate meeting rooms and feature areas for community programs
- $500,000 for the Distillery at South Shore in Pittsburgh to update its façade, replace windows, HVAC and plumbing
- $500,000 to the Urban Redevelopment Authority to preserve and stabilize the Homewood Coliseum
- The Urban Redevelopment Authority will receive additional $1,000,000 to revitalize the Hunt Armory Recreation Facility
- $500,000 for the City of Pittsburgh to expand Homewood Park
- $1,000,000 go to the City of Pittsburgh to renovate the public pool at the Oliver Bath House
- $1,000,000 for ICON Development, Pgh to begin work on a mixed-use project at Lexington Technology Park
- $500,000 for the development of a 12-story office and retail building at Innovation Research Tower to include 100 parking spaces, and 86 bicycle spaces
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Harrisburg, Pa. – July 29, 2019 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, urging that the federal Department of Agriculture does not end automatic eligibility for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This change would impact 3.1 million Americans; 120,000 living in Pennsylvania.
The caucus urged the Congressional delegation to stand united in opposition to this devastating rule change that would strip food from Pennsylvania families in need.
Writing jointly in its letter, the caucus wrote:
This proposal is heartless, callous, and Pennsylvanians cannot afford it.
Feeding America estimates that more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians are food insecure. Worse, 1 in 6 of Pennsylvania’s children struggles with hunger. These numbers are staggering enough without the addition of 200,000 more who could soon be without SNAP. The current rules allow those food insecure individuals who are single parents, disabled veterans, victims of domestic violence and individuals with a disability to receive vital benefits that allow them to put a healthy, fresh meal on their table.
Societies are judged by how they treat their most vulnerable; if we let this change to SNAP go unchallenged, we will fail that judgement.
Our caucus will oppose the rule change in every way that we are able, and we ask that our federal representatives join us in that fight. We, and our constituents, thank you for the advocacy you have already undertaken.
Download Letter →
PITTSBURGH, PA – July 15, 2019 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announced the award of federal grants to local elementary schools to fund healthy, fresh food programs for students.
“Our young students can’t learn properly if they aren’t properly fed,” said Senator Costa. “A healthy meal means so much to a hungry child, and these grants are going to schools that have demonstrated a need in their students’ diets.”
Funding priority is given to the schools with the highest rates of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Grantees are required to spend a majority of their grant on the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetable and must develop a plan to establish partnerships to reduce other costs. Schools are also required to provide nutrition education to students, but cannot use FFVP funding to purchase nutrition education materials.
The Woodland Hills School District will receive $60,490; Wilkinsburg schools will receive $28,014; West Mifflin Area Schools will receive $42,607.50; Propel Charter Schools will receive $139,897.50; Pittsburgh School District will receive $92,805; Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship will receive $17,940; and Penn Hills School District will receive $69,402.
The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The program’s goals are to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices, expand the variety of fruits and vegetables students experience, increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and positively impact students’ present and future health. FFVP was first implemented in Pennsylvania in 2004 and expanded to all 50 states in 2008.
“Fresh fruits and vegetables provide vital nutrients to growing children,” said Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera. “These grants are another way to help address food security in our schools while also providing an opportunity to teach students how to make smart and nutritious choices.”
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Harrisburg – July 11, 2019 – More than $1.2 million in funding for a wide range of critical housing projects in Allegheny County was approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today.
“The dollars approved for these projects will serve as the foundation for improving our housing stock, creating greater accessibility to services and enhanced security for vulnerable populations,” Costa said. “These are incredibly important funding streams that will help change lives and generate opportunities.”
Costa said that the PHFA approved the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) funds and tax credits for the following:
- Emerald Hills Retirement Residence in Penn Hills will use tax credits of $1.2 million and $949,081 in PHARE Funds for construction of a building of 52 units for those 62 years of age of above;
- HEARTH, A Safe Place Matters, will receive $50,000 to provide safe affordable housing to vulnerable populations, focusing on women with children after surviving domestic abuse;
- Advantage Credit Counseling Services, Financial Empowerment for Veterans, are slated to use $15,000 in PHARE funds to provide financial counseling and coaching for 150 veterans;
- Allegheny County, Housing Counseling for Allegheny County Save Your Home Program, will use $100,000 to provide counseling to homeowners facing foreclosure. The Save Your Home Program is a joint effort between the Court of Common Pleas, sheriff’s office and the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development; and
- Oakland Community Land Trust will use the $100,000 in PHARE funding to provide affordable housing opportunities for low-to-moderate families. The trust rehabilitates blighted, abandoned and at-risk homes to make them move-in ready.
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Contact: Hugh Baird
Phone: 717 787-5166
Email: Hugh.Baird@pasenate.com