CEO Spotlight: Building on a Legacy of Innovation and Impact at 412 Food Rescue

It’s been a little over three months since I came onboard as CEO of 412 Food Rescue and Food Rescue Hero. Each day, I witness our positive impact on both people and the planet.

The founders of this organization set out to solve a long-term problem: 40 percent of food in the US is wasted, yet 1 in 5 people in the Pittsburgh area are food insecure. For over 9 years, 412 Food Rescue has connected the dots – saving good, healthy food and delivering it quickly and safely to people who do not have easy access to food. I love saying that we have a people powered-technology solution – we innovate using our unique software platform, while keeping the human connection in the center of our work. 

I saw our mission in action recently when I spent the day on one of our big green trucks with our fleet operator, Chris. We picked up six pallets of assorted food – from 5 lbs boxes of fresh green peppers, to 20 lbs bags of pepperoni to containers of frozen fish – and made 6 stops at sites in the Mon Valley. I met the volunteers and staff at several small churches and community sites who got to choose from what we had on the truck, and helped us unload and distribute it that day to people in their community. 

It was heartwarming, but also eye-opening as I watched people come out of their homes from around the neighborhood and get in line for food. The need is real, and the work we are doing is so important and impactful.  

Since our founding in 2015, we have diverted over 31 million pounds of food bound for the waste stream in Western Pennsylvania, the equivalent of more than 26 million meals, mitigating over 60 million pounds of CO2 emissions in the process. It could not happen without the generosity of our supporters and the tireless work of our 22,000+ Food Rescue Heroes. Together, we are changing lives and strengthening our community.

Looking ahead, I see a future filled with possibility and potential. Our mission—to feed people, not landfills—remains as critical as ever. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated staff, volunteers, partners, and donors. Your unwavering commitment and hard work have taken this organization a long way in 10 years, and I am excited to continue to build upon this legacy together.

Why investing in food recovery has the best ROI →