Tackling Food Waste: How the Pittsburgh Pirates and 412 Food Rescue Team Up to Feed the Hungry

The Pittsburgh Pirates have found a meaningful way to reduce food waste and support their local community. By partnering with 412 Food Rescue, a non-profit organization, the team has been donating leftover concession items from their home games to those in need. This collaborative effort not only diverts food from landfills but also ensures that no one goes hungry in the Pittsburgh area.

Feeding the Community, One Ballpark Bite at a Time

Reclaiming Leftover Concessions

As the Pittsburgh Pirates played their final home game of the 2024 season at PNC Park, the team's commitment to reducing food waste continued. Rather than discarding the remaining hot dogs, buns, pierogies, and other concession items, the Pirates have been donating these items to 412 Food Rescue. This non-profit organization specializes in recovering and redistributing food directly to individuals and families who need it most.Throughout the season, the Pirates have been diligent in their efforts to ensure that no edible food goes to waste. After each home game, 412 Food Rescue representatives arrive at PNC Park to collect the leftover items, which are then swiftly distributed to local organizations and community members in need. This partnership has resulted in the collection of close to 30,000 pounds of food during the 2024 season alone.

Ensuring Inclusive and Respectful Distribution

The team at 412 Food Rescue understands the importance of being mindful of people's dietary preferences and restrictions. They work diligently to identify whether the donated food is kosher, halal, gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian, ensuring that the food is distributed in a way that respects the diverse needs of the community."It is important to be respectful of people's food preferences," explains Becca Simon, the food donor relations manager for 412 Food Rescue. "We work closely with other organizations that have a deep understanding of the local community and can help us get the food to the people who need it most."

Expanding the Reach: Collaborations with Other Sports Teams

The Pirates' partnership with 412 Food Rescue is just one example of the organization's broader efforts to tackle food waste in the Pittsburgh region. They have also collaborated with other local sports teams, including the Steelers, the Penguins, and the Riverhounds, to recover and redistribute leftover food from their events and games."Everyone in the city of Pittsburgh has so much pride about giving back to the community," Simon said. "They always step up to help. The need for food is growing every year, and we want to make sure that if there is food available from the sports teams, festivals, or other events, we know about it and get it to the people who need it."

A Seamless Partnership: The Pirates and Aramark

The Pirates' food donation program is not a new initiative. In fact, the team has been working with 412 Food Rescue since 2018, thanks to a partnership with Aramark, the company that provides food service, facilities, and uniform services to the team."The advantage of having 412 Food Rescue local to Pittsburgh gives us the ability to work with an organization that has the expertise in donating excess food," said Nick Long, the manager of ballpark and event operations for the Pirates. "Working with 412 Food Rescue has been a seamless experience each time they come to pick up food at PNC Park."

Tackling the Food Waste Crisis

The collaboration between the Pittsburgh Pirates and 412 Food Rescue is part of a larger effort to address the growing issue of food waste. According to Becca Simon, approximately 40% of all food produced is wasted annually, while one in seven people go hungry every day."We want to change those statistics," Simon said. "We want to waste less food and make sure no one goes hungry. Food is a basic need and one that should be accessible to all. Collaborations like this one with the Pirates are wonderful. We make a great team. This work definitely takes a village."The Pirates' commitment to reducing food waste and supporting their local community is a testament to the power of partnerships and the impact that sports teams can have on addressing pressing social issues. By working with organizations like 412 Food Rescue, the Pirates are not only making a difference in the lives of those in need but also setting an example for other teams and communities to follow.