This year’s activities, which fall on the ninth anniversary of 412 Food Rescue’s founding, will include rescues by Mayor Ed Gainey, County Executive Sara Innamorato and other local elected officials. It’s all to raise awareness about the challenge of food waste and the solutions that we can create together, and to shine a light on the impact that 412 Food Rescue’s donors, volunteers and nonprofit partners have made, collectively rescuing more than 30 million pounds of food that otherwise would have been wasted.
Media is invited to send cameras to Mayor Gainey's drop off location on Tues., March 12 at 10:15 a.m. at HACP Bedford Dwellings, 2305 Bedford Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219, to capture video and photos and conduct brief interviews about 412 Food Rescue's mission.
On-site media contacts will be Jen England, Vice President of External Affairs, 412 Food Rescue (412/513-9091); and Olga George, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor (412/627-0679).
In the U.S., around 35% of all the food we produce goes to waste. Globally, discarded food makes up the largest single source of material in landfills and is one of the biggest contributors to total methane emissions, a greenhouse gas with more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide.
Recognizing the potential to combat that problem while also fighting hunger, 412 Food Rescue was founded in 2015 to divert fresh food from going to waste by redirecting it to people facing food insecurity. Today it’s the largest volunteer food rescue organization in the country, with a growing community of 22,000+ volunteers coordinated by the 412 Food Rescue app. They have diverted more than 30 million pounds of food bound for the waste stream in Western Pennsylvania, the equivalent of 25.8 million meals, mitigating 55.3 million pounds of CO2 emissions in the process.
Along with preventing good food from entering the landfill, 412 Food Rescue has also transformed food access by partnering with organizations like the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Housing Authority. Partnerships with organizations like these have put fresh food at the doorstep of people who need it by bringing food to where people are so they can access food in their community, at their school, while they receive ongoing education, or while they access other services.
In 2022, the organization’s efforts were officially recognized by the City of Pittsburgh through Food Rescue Hero days proclaimed by both the mayor’s office and city council. That collaboration with the city continues this year with rescues by Mayor Gainey, Sara Innamorato and other elected officials, providing a first-hand look at how a car-load of fresh food that won’t be sold can transform from potential landfill waste into a source of abundance for the communities that receive it.
“As the proving ground for our people-powered, tech-coordinated food recovery model, Pittsburgh is leading a global movement,” says 412 Food Rescue Vice President of External Affairs Jennifer England. “Our Food Rescue Heroes here and across our growing North American network exemplify the power of regular people to drive world-altering change.”
During Food Rescue Hero week, people are encouraged to sign up to become a 412 Food Rescue Volunteer by downloading the app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
About 412 Food Rescue:
Driven by the belief that good food belongs to people, not landfills, 412 Food Rescue launched in Pittsburgh, PA, in March 2015 to divert fresh food from going to waste by redirecting it to people facing food insecurity. Today it’s the largest volunteer food rescue organization in the country with a growing community of 22,000+ volunteers. Since over 80% of the food for pick up is fresh, timely delivery is essential. The 412 Food Rescue app makes claiming food rescues easy and convenient, guiding each volunteer every step of the way from pick up to delivery. Our newest endeavor, the Home Delivery Program, has delivered over 337,711 meals directly to the homes of our isolated Pittsburgh neighbors since its start in 2021.
In the United States, as much as 40 percent of food produced is wasted, while 1 in 10 people go hungry. To date, 412 Food Rescue has diverted more than 31 million pounds of food bound for the waste stream in Western Pennsylvania, the equivalent of 25.8 million meals, mitigating 55.3 million pounds of CO2 emissions in the process. On a monthly basis, the organization works with over 590 food retailers and 410 nonprofit partners. 412 Food Rescue is powered by thousands of volunteers and Food Rescue Hero™, the only food recovery platform purposefully designed to make a greater impact, together.
