The Story
412 Food Rescue was founded in 2015 by Leah Lizarondo with a mission to address food insecurity through innovation and technology. The nonprofit uses a sophisticated app and logistics system to connect restaurants, grocers, and food producers with surplus food to nonprofits and individuals in need, preventing waste while feeding hungry families.
Since its founding, 412 Food Rescue has rescued more than 30 million pounds of food across Western Pennsylvania. The organization has pioneered a replicable model for food rescue that combines technology with community logistics. The success of 412 Food Rescue has attracted national attention, with its model now being adopted in cities across the United States, proving that Pittsburgh innovation can scale to address hunger nationwide.
With a growing team of 30 employees, 412 Food Rescue has expanded its impact while maintaining its focus on equity and community partnership. The organization works with over 800 food donors and serves hundreds of nonprofit partners, making it a vital resource for food security in the Pittsburgh region.
What Makes It Pittsburgh
412 Food Rescue exemplifies Pittsburgh's tradition of practical problem-solving and social responsibility. Born from a commitment to addressing local hunger, the nonprofit has grown into a national model for food rescue innovation. Pittsburgh's spirit of resilience and community care is encoded into the organization's mission.
The organization's scale-up success reflects Pittsburgh's capacity to nurture civic startups that address urgent social needs. From tech to nonprofit innovation, Pittsburgh entrepreneurs are solving problems that matter, with 412 Food Rescue proving that smart technology and community trust can transform entire sectors.