The airport’s partnership with a Pittsburgh food recovery organization is starting to bear fruit.

In its annual report, 412 Food Rescue announced it had “rescued” more than 2.5 million tons of food from its six-county operating area last year and distributed it to 285 nonprofits to feed needy Pennsylvanians. (Rescued food is viable, healthy fare from restaurants, grocery stores, caterers and other sources that is unsellable and would otherwise go to waste.)

In September, Pittsburgh International Airport – and its concessionaire, Fraport USA – joined 412 Food Rescue’s roster of donors, organizing twice-weekly pickups. With more than 30 restaurants throughout the facility, the airport began to re-purpose excess food from its concessions that would likely end up in a landfill.

By the end of the year, PIT had collected more than two tons of donations, providing nearly 3,600 meals for area residents the nonprofit refers to as “food insecure.” In addition, the food rescued by the airport saved 2,341 pounds of carbon, according to 412 Food Rescue.

Since partnering with 412 Food Rescue in Sept. 2018, the airport has provided 3,593 meals for the Pittsburgh community.

That’s the equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions from more than 9,500 miles driven in an average passenger vehicle, or carbon dioxide emissions from burning more than two tons of coal.

“We’re happy our partnership with 412 Food Rescue is off to such a strong start,” said Kim Kitko, ACAA vice president of business development. “Our role as a community leader is important to us, and improving our sustainability processes is among our top priorities. We’re looking forward to contributing even more this year.”

To learn how you can help out 412 Food Rescue, click here.