Pittsburgh Eats program empowers local restaurants to thrive

In a recent city council meeting, Economic Development Manager Robert Carrera presented a comprehensive overview of the Pittsburgh Eats program, designed to support local restaurants recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, funded by $350,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), aims to provide free business coaching and technical assistance to local food entrepreneurs.

Carrera highlighted the program's collaboration with the NorCal Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which facilitated a seven-week training series for participants. The program included personalized one-on-one consulting, enabling restaurant owners to develop actionable business plans. Upon successful completion, participants became eligible for city grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to implement their strategies.

Twelve local businesses were selected from over 20 applicants, representing a diverse range of food services, including sit-down restaurants, food trucks, and catering services. Participants included Lady J Soul Food, Luna Hana, and Faya Spice Caribbean, among others. Collectively, these businesses employ 24 full-time and 28 part-time workers, generating approximately $6.2 million in annual sales.

The program culminated in a grant distribution of $120,000, which participants used to enhance various aspects of their operations, such as marketing and point-of-sale systems. Carrera emphasized the positive feedback from participants, who expressed gratitude for the knowledge gained and the networking opportunities provided.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for council members and attendees to sample food from the participating businesses, showcasing the community's culinary talent and the program's success in fostering local economic growth.