For the past 10 years, 412 Food Rescue has invited Pittsburgh to reimagine surplus food, once bound for the waste stream, as nourishment for the city’s communities. On Saturday, September 13, the organization celebrates a decade of service, sustenance and community with an event to further spark the imagination – and delight the palate. Its Rooted dinner, presented by Gordon Food Service, promises an unforgettable culinary experience, featuring dishes crafted by local chefs inspired by rescued and sustainable ingredients.

The journey to this point began in the spring of 2015, when a scrappy new nonprofit started frequenting restaurants and grocery stores in Pittsburgh, rescuing good food that would have been thrown out and bringing it to the neighborhoods where it was needed most. Ten years later, 412 Food Rescue is the largest volunteer food rescue organization in the U.S., and its Food Rescue Hero platform fights food waste and food insecurity in 24 communities across North America.

“We had a theory that people are wired for good – that, given the right tools and support to fight food waste and food insecurity, they would use them to do something incredible,” says Jennifer England, 412 Food Rescue’s Vice President of External Affairs, who has been with the organization since its earliest days. “They have.”

More than 24,000 local volunteers have completed over 226,000 rescues with 412 Food Rescue, recovering over 36 million pounds of nutritious food (the equivalent of 30 million meals) and transporting it to a broad array of partners serving food-insecure populations, from public housing facilities, to after-school programs, to community centers. Together, they have brought fresh food within a 15-minute walk of over 180,000 people in previously under-served areas. Meanwhile, the food waste they have prevented has mitigated 73 million pounds of CO2 emissions.

Throughout 2025, 412 Food Rescue has been celebrating its tenth anniversary, with events like a “412 Day” block party in April sponsored by Duolingo. Rooted continues the celebration, with an evening honoring the nonprofit’s journey, recognizing its supporters, and inspiring continued engagement in its mission. Guests will enjoy food stations featuring dishes by local chefs, inspired by rescued and sustainable ingredients, as well as cocktails (including Con Pane, a Cinderlands beer made from donated bread from Pane e Pronto—and a signature cocktail by mixologist Meghan Washington, featuring rescued ingredients) and live entertainment, including a VIP hour featuring musicians from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

“We’re excited to celebrate everyone who has been part of this work — the volunteers, the food donors, the nonprofit partners and the financial supporters,” says 412 Food Rescue CEO Alyssa Cholodofsky, “and we’re excited to look ahead to the next 10 years of growing our collective impact.”

Confirmed chefs include:

• Jamilka Borges, Lilith
• Cory Hughes, Fig & Ash
• Justin Severino, Morcilla and Salty Pork Bites
• Michael Godlewski, EYV
• Dave Anoia, DiAnoia’s
• Tomasz Skowronski and Kate Lasky, Apteka
• Jackie Schoedel, Speckled Egg
• Aaron Gottsman, Solera Wine
• George Austin, Butterjoint
• Danielle Cain, Hey Babe

The VIP hour will feature elevated dishes by exclusive chefs including:

• Darren Layre, Gordon Food Service
• Tim Fetter, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group
• Justin Harrison & Dave Wolfe, Just-in-Thyme Catering

ROOTED 

• Rescued Dishes Celebrating a Decade of Service, Sustenance, and Community
• Saturday, September 13, 2025
• Rockwell Park, Pittsburgh, PA
• VIP Early Admission, 5 – 6 p.m. ($150): Includes signature welcome cocktail, 1-hr open bar, early access to food stations, elevated dishes by exclusive chefs, exclusive entertainment & special gift.
• General Admission 6 – 9 p.m. ($50): Includes one drink ticket & access to food stations.