On September 13, 2025, more than 400 community members gathered at Rockwell Park in Point Breeze to celebrate 10 years of impact with 412 Food Rescue, and the evening surpassed every expectation!
The celebration, presented by Gordon Food Service, kicked off with a VIP hour including exclusive tastings created by the lead chefs of Gordon Food Service, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, and Just-in-Thyme Catering. Guests received a special welcome cocktail highlighting rescued apples and carrots, got a first look at over 10 raffle baskets donated by generous community members, and enjoyed exclusive entertainment by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
As the rest of our guests arrived, thanks to the culinary creativity of ten local chefs, everyone enjoyed tasting plates crafted from rescued ingredients. Lead by Jamilka Borges of Lilith, the menu included the likes of a bean crostini with fermented radish, goat cheese and pepper jelly crostini created by Chef George Austin of Butterjoint, smoked baba ghanoush with a heirloom tomato taboulleh and goat rodeo chevre on a za’atar pita created by Danielle Cain of Hey Babe! and comfort mac and cheese with home-made bacon bread crumbs by local private chef Jackie Page.
”412 Food Rescue is deeply connected to the restaurant community, and Rooted would not have been possible without the generosity and creativity of the chefs who shared their time and talent. We are profoundly grateful to them for being inspired by and transforming rescued ingredients into extraordinary dishes and for helping us make this milestone celebration such a success.
Alyssa Cholodofsky, CEO, 412 Food Rescue
The evening culminated with a short program honoring:
- Greg Hopkins – Volunteer of the Decade
- The Allegheny Intermediate Unit – Nonprofit Partner of the Decade
- Giant Eagle – Food Donor of the Decade
- Steve & Estelle Cherin – Donors of the Decade
- Carmen Parise – 412 Food Rescue Visionary
”Having been part of 412 Food Rescue since the very beginning, it’s incredibly moving to see so many of our long-time partners come together for Rooted. This celebration wasn’t just about one night, it was a reflection of ten years of shared commitment, collaboration, and impact. Looking around the room, I could see the community that has carried this mission forward, and it fills me with gratitude and hope for the next decade.
Jen England, VP of External Affairs, 412 Food Rescue
Throughout the evening, guests reflected on 412 Food Rescue’s impact by sharing memories and hopes for the future on our interactive Wish Wall while enjoying the beats of local DJ duo, Jellyfish. With live entertainment, meaningful storytelling, and moments of shared reflection, the celebration brought our mission to life, connecting surplus food to neighbors in need and inspiring the next decade of impact.
Rooted was a true community effort, with support from sponsors, volunteers, partners, and attendees. Because of everyone’s generosity, Rooted played a pivotal role in setting the stage for our next decade of service, rescuing more food, feeding more people, and reducing waste together.
”What a great night of celebration we were able to enjoy with others who are rooted in sharing our passion for doing good and being good neighbors. Ten years ago, our Imperial PA distribution center went online and simultaneously began our incredible partnership with 412 Food Rescue. A full decade later, we have rescued and served millions of pounds of food items to many in our communities who experience food insecurity. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this work than alongside 412 Food Rescue and to help highlight the impact they make in our city. We look forward to many more years of strong collaboration in serving our community together.
Tommy Portwood, General Manager Allegheny Valley Division, Gordon Food Service
We are deeply grateful to the many individuals, businesses, and organizations whose support made Rooted possible, including: 350 Bakery; Aaron Gottesman, Solera Wine; Allora Wine Group; Armada; Arsenal Cider House; ASSEMBLE; Bell’s Brewery; Benedum Center; BreakThru Beverage; Cafe 412; Caliente; Catherine Heinzelmann; CEEVA; Cherin Law Offices PC; Chick-fil-A; Cinderlands; Commonplace Coffee; Costco; Covestro; Danielle Cain, Hey Babe!; Darren Layre, Gordon Food Service; Dave Anoia, DiAnoia’s; De Fer Coffee; Dianne DeStefano, Lilith; Donahue Real Estate Advisors; Doran & Carrie Young; Duolingo; Duquesne Light Company; Eat’n Park Hospitality Group; Edens Market; ELEVEN NINETEEN Interiors; eLoop; Epic Metals; Erie Insurance; EY; Five Points Bakery; George Austin, Butterjoint; Giant Eagle; Ginger Fisher Baldwin, Balvanera; Golden Triangle Photo Co.; Gordon Food Service; Grandpa Joe’s Candy; Great Lakes Brewing Co.; Hello Bistro; Home Depot, East Liberty; Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh; Jackie Page, Private Chef; Jackworth Ginger Beer; Jamilka Borges, Lilith; Jellyfish; Jenna Vanden Brink Ceramics; Junior League of Pittsburgh, Justin Harrison & Dave Wolfe, Just-in-Thyme Catering; Kamin Science Center; Luxe Creative; Maher Duessel; Mancini’s Bread Co.; Mia Siclari and Justin Shaffer; Michael Godlewski, EYV; Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream; Mola; National Aviary; New France Brewing; NFM + Dymun; Oh Snap PGH; Pennsylvania Resource Council; Peppi’s; PepsiCo; Pittsburgh Pirates; Pittsburgh Riverhounds; Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; PNC Financial Services; Primanti Bros; Rivendale Farms; Rivers Casino; Rockwell Park; Round Corner Cantina; Shake Shack; Square Cafe & Title 9; Stone Water Salon; The Porch; Thermo King of Pittsburgh, Inc.; Tim Fetter, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group; Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Trace Brewing; Trader Joe’s, East Liberty; Troegs Independent Brewing; UPMC and UPMC Health Plan; Uptown Coffee Mt. Lebanon; Velum Fermentation; Vincent Petti & Linda Torres; Walmart, North Versailles; Walmart, Robinson; Whole Foods, South Hills; Whole Foods, Wexford; and Wye Beer Co.
Support the work of 412 Food Rescue
Download the app to start volunteering:
Make a financial donation:
