What happens to PNC Park's leftover food?

The Pittsburgh Pirates played their final 2024 home game Thursday at PNC Park, but there are items from the ballpark’s concession stands still being served, though not to fans. The leftover food is being donated to 412 Food Rescue, a non-profit that recovers and redistributes food directly to people who need it.

Throughout the season the Pirates have been donating hot dogs, buns, pierogies or whatever is left after home stands.

A final pick-up this season is happening Monday.

At PNC Park this season, they’ve collected close to 30,000 pounds of food, according to Becca Simon, food donor relations manager for 412 Food Rescue. The organization is diligent about finding out if the food they are collecting is kosher or halal or if something is gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian. It is important to be respectful of people’s food preferences, Simon said.

She said 412 Food Rescue also works with other organizations that know where the people who need the food are and can assist in getting the food to them. The need for food continues to grow, Simon said. The need for more volunteers also is growing.

“We continue to monitor where food waste might be happening and try and connect with those places,” Simon said. “No matter how small or how big the food amount, we have the flexibility and the volunteers to rescue it.”

“Being able to reduce food waste and keep it out of the waste stream is an essential part of the Pirates Sustainability program,” Nick Long, manager of ballpark and event operations for the Pirates, said via email. “This provides the ability to contribute to circularity and give food to those in need.”

412 Food Rescue also partners with the Steelers, the Penguins and the Riverhounds.

The organization has received calls from P3R, which organizes the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, with a large amount of bananas that runners didn’t eat. According to Simon, perishable items are distributed quickly before they spoil.

“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 if there is food available from the sports teams, festivals or other events, that we know about it and get it to the people who need it.”

The Pirates and Aramark — a company that provides food service, facilities and uniform services to hospitals, universities, school districts, stadiums and other businesses — have had a partnership with 412 Food Rescue since 2018, Long said. Such food donation programs are very common across Major League Baseball. He said 21 clubs, including the Pirates, have a food donation program in place.

“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,” Long said. “Working with 412 Food Rescue has been a seamless experience each time they come to pick up food at PNC Park.”

Simon said approximately 40% of food produced is wasted annually. One in seven people go hungry every day, she said.

“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.”

Details: 412foodrescue.org