In the heart of Pittsburgh, a remarkable initiative is underway to combat food waste and ensure that no one goes hungry. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's innovative Community Table program is rescuing thousands of pounds of food each day, transforming excess into nourishment for those in need. From local restaurants and farms to senior living facilities, this collaborative effort is making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families across the region.

Turning Excess into Sustenance: The Community Table's Remarkable Impact

Combating Food Waste, Feeding the Hungry

It's a staggering statistic: over 30% of the food produced in the United States goes to waste. Yet, with so many individuals and families facing food insecurity, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank saw an opportunity to make a difference. The Community Table program was born, connecting local donors with agencies in need, ensuring that excess food is rescued and redistributed to those who need it most."In our 11-county service area on an average day, we're picking up 55,000 pounds of food," says Kurt Lindsey, the food recovery coordinator for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. This food comes from a diverse array of sources, including local restaurants, farms, and even senior living facilities, all committed to reducing waste and making a positive impact on their community.

Partnerships Powering Progress

The Community Table program is a true collaborative effort, with over 400 donors working in tandem with shelters, soup kitchens, and Meals on Wheels programs across the region. This network of partnerships ensures that the rescued food is efficiently distributed to those in need, providing nourishing meals and reducing the burden of food insecurity.One such partner, UPMC Senior Communities, has been a steadfast supporter of the program. "Over the course of the past 10 years, UPMC Senior Communities has donated enough food for about 100,000 meals," says John Rizzo, the director of dietary services. By freezing and preserving leftover food that would otherwise go to waste, UPMC Senior Communities is making a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve.

Restaurants Stepping Up to the Plate

The Community Table program has also garnered the support of local restaurant groups, such as Burgatory. Since 2012, Burgatory has donated over 38,000 pounds of food, which equates to approximately 32,000 meals. "We're all about the community. We're all about the people. It's not just putting burgers out on the table. It's about doing the right thing on any given day, and we do that with the people around us," says Brad Kohut, Burgatory's vice president of restaurant development.Each month, Burgatory's seven local restaurants grill up 25 to 50 burgers, along with toppings, buns, fresh salads, and house-made potato chips, all of which are donated to the Community Table. This commitment to giving back is a testament to the program's ability to inspire businesses to make a meaningful impact on their community.

Farms Fueling the Effort

The Community Table's reach extends beyond the city limits, with farms like Apple Castle in New Wilmington playing a vital role. As the sixth-generation owner of the farm, Steve Johnston has witnessed the evolution of the apple industry firsthand. "This year, we're going to have some excess fuji apples. And so instead of just letting them drop or just kind of dumping them, we're able to send them down to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and they will distribute them to those who need them."Apple Castle has been a part of the Community Table program for nearly 15 years, donating approximately 125,000 pounds of apples, sweet corn, and winter squash annually. "Partnering with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has been a blessing to us and we're really thankful to be a blessing to others," says Johnston.

Environmental Impact: Reducing Waste, Combating Climate Change

The Community Table program's impact extends beyond just feeding the hungry; it also has a significant environmental benefit. When food is thrown away in a landfill, it releases greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. By rescuing and redistributing this food, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is able to calculate the environmental impact, with last year's efforts alone preventing emissions equal to taking 4,000 vehicles off the road for an entire year."For every food that gets donated, we're able to calculate the environmental impact of donating that food instead of throwing it out," explains Lindsey. "By partnering with our donors, we're both able to prevent those emissions and use the food to nourish our community."

A Fraction of the Larger Effort

While the Community Table program is a remarkable success story, it represents just a fraction of the food rescue and recovery work undertaken by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The bulk of their efforts come from partnerships with local grocery stores, where they rescue the wholesome and nutritious food that doesn't make it to the shelves.Last year, the food bank rescued more than 20.4 million pounds of food through the Community Table and retail store programs, a testament to the organization's dedication and the community's willingness to come together to address the pressing issue of food insecurity.As the 43rd annual KDKA-TV Turkey Fund gets underway, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank's story serves as a shining example of how a collaborative, community-driven approach can transform excess into sustenance, nourishing both individuals and the environment. By supporting the Turkey Fund, you too can be a part of this remarkable journey, ensuring that no one in the Pittsburgh region goes hungry.