''Farm to Forchetta'' Draws Record Community Support for UPMC Pinnacle Foundation’s Farm to Hospital Program

YORK, PA. (Oct.9, 2026) — The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation recently welcomed more than 700 attendees over three days for “Farm to Forchetta”, a series of events highlighting the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation Farm to Hospital Program at UPMC Memorial.

“Farm to Forchetta gave us an opportunity to introduce more people to the Farm to Hospital Program and show how access to fresh, nutritious food can be part of building healthier communities,” said Jessica Ritchie, president of the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation. “To see hundreds of community members engage with this program over three days, from students to donors and partners, was incredibly exciting.”
 

The series began Thursday, Oct. 1, with Forchetta for the Farm, an intimate chef-led dinner held at the Investment Real Estate, LLC building in downtown York. The evening featured renowned Chef John Nocita, Founder of the Italian Culinary Institute and brought guests together in support of the Farm to Hospital Program.
 

On Friday, Oct. 2, Forchetta in Training welcomed students from Christian School of York, Kennard-Dale High School, and Central York High School to UPMC Memorial in York. Students visited the farm and its high tunnels before participating in an educational culinary experience with Chef Nocita and program partners, connecting agriculture, nutrition, health, and culinary arts.
 

The series concluded Saturday, Oct. 3, with Forchetta Fest at the Valencia Ballroom in downtown York, where more than 500 people gathered for an afternoon featuring local food and artisan vendors, chef-curated tastings, community partners, and a live culinary demonstration from Chef Nocita.
 

Inspired by Dr. KimberLee Mudge, the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation Farm to Hospital Program at UPMC Memorial connects fresh, locally grown food with health and wellness. Produce grown in three hoophouses located at the base of the hospital is incorporated into patient meals, available for purchase at UPMC Memorial and UPMC Hanover and distributed through programs that help increase access to nutritious food.
 

“The Farm to Hospital concept is very Italian,” said Chef John Nocita. “Food brings us all together, across generations and across communities, and one of the most important things we can do is grow food near where we live. Even before we met, Dr. Mudge and I were on the same path. I’m a small player in the big picture of things and she is creating something that is very much a part of our culture in Italy and bringing it here.”
 

Together, the three Farm to Forchetta events gave students, supporters, and the broader community an opportunity to experience the mission of the Farm to Hospital Program firsthand while supporting its continued growth.

For more information about the Farm to Hospital Program and upcoming community initiatives, visit upmcpinnaclefoundation.org.

About the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation  

The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that coordinates charitable giving to support community benefit and education programs, the needs of seven hospitals, and resources that improve access to, and quality of, care throughout UPMC in Central Pa. With nearly 100 different funds that benefit the hospitals as well as the community, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation invests locally in the resources and people that continually make the life-changing medicine of UPMC in Central Pa a reality. All money raised by the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation remains in central Pennsylvania to support programs and services at UPMC in Central Pa. For more information, visit upmcpinnaclefoundation.org.