More Than a Pantry: Inside the New Second Harvest Marketplace

On January 14th, a special food pantry opened its doors on East Avenue, welcoming neighbors with compassion and dignity.

The Second Harvest Food Bank’s Marketplace at the UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center looks and feels much like a grocery store.

The shelves are neatly stocked with pantry staples, and coolers offer fresh produce, meat, milk, and frozen foods. Neighbors browse, select what works for their families, and leave with groceries that meet their needs. No pre-packed boxes, no guesswork.

And almost immediately, those choices began shaping the way neighbors interact with the space. And with one another.

One woman was so moved by her first experience at the Marketplace that she returned—not for groceries, but to give. After unloading her food at home, she came back with tomatoes from her garden to share.

Through a partnership between Second Harvest Food Bank and UPMC Health Plan, the Marketplace offers a new approach to food assistance—one that prioritizes choice, dignity, and everyday moments of care. It's a small shift that's already making a difference, one visit at a time.