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Food Waste Diversion Apps - 412 Food Rescue

Hungry bellies are unacceptable, especially when so much food is going to waste. In steps 412 Food Rescue with an App for that! (iOS and Android)


Through the Application Evaluation Rubric, I made to review food waste apps, I've given 412 Food Rescue a score of 80%.

@412foodrescue #app is incredible! #412foodrescue works with businesses who want to donate food, arranges a user, then posts the "Rescue" on their app. App users volunteer to pick up the food and deliver it to the shelter, school, community housing or whatever the end user is. It currently only operates in #pittsburgh but the model has proven to have such impact on #foodinsecurity that some say that it is solving the #foodcrisis!!! Download it. Check it out. It's the future of food donation. For more of a revue of the app go to my website. This review is part of my #fullcirclefoodservice project. #peace -- #zerofoodwaste #foodwaste #zerowasteliving #zerowastelifestyle #hunger #stophunger #chefstalk #chefsfeed #sustainability #sustainablefood #donate #donatenow #nonprofit #nfp #charity #wastemanagement #recycle
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How it works:
412 Food Rescue is a volunteer based food recovery system. App users volunteer to pick up food and deliver it to an end user.

The process is simple:
  1. A food service provider contacts 412 with the details of their surplus food.
  2. 412 then connects that food with charities.
  3. The delivery is listed on the App as a "Rescue".
  4. Users/Volunteers receive a notification of the available Rescue.
  5. Users then agree to the Rescue.
  6. Users then proceed to pick up the item and deliver it to the designated location.
  7. The designation then uses the product donated.
  8. Donations qualify for a tax deduction.
Within their provided current list of donors on their website, a list of about 250 participating donors shows the diversity of companies are participating. From Ikea, Costco and Google, to Sierra Club and Salvation Arelementarylemntry schools, universities, ma and pa restaurants, corner cafes and food trucks - the span of possible items is immense.


The food donated is:
  • Surplus - The store simply had too much.
  • Nearing expiry date.
  • Mislabeled, or doesn't meet packaging standards.
  • Fails visual standards (scaring, bruised fruit, odd bananas).

The volunteers are:
  • People with the App
  • People with a vehicle (Zipp Car and happy Ride have both donated time with their vehicles in the past)
  • Provide approx 30 minutes for the Rescue

The food users are:
  • Charities
  • Shelters
  • Food 
  • Schools
  • Community Housing

The following video is from one of 412's donation campaigns.




Into Pittsburgh interviews 412 Food Rescue