Sustainability is at the core of food banking.

As the Food Bank continues to design new ways to reach neighbors facing hunger, our commitment to sustainability remains.

In 1998, the Food Bank made a sustainability commitment when it broke ground on a brand-new building and entered the USGBC LEED® pilot program, earning its certification in 2000.

The Food Bank’s original building made history as the first LEED Certified food bank in the country and the first LEED Certified building in Pittsburgh. In 2023, an expansion project was completed, which included a new converter system that captures heat exhaust from food coolers and heats the building and a rainwater collection system for the employee garden.

These additions elevated the building to LEED Gold level certification under the New Construction rating system in 2024, making it one of four LEED Gold certified food banks in the country.

20 million +

pounds rescued in FY2025

61%

of waste was diverted from the landfill in FY2025

455,000 +

pounds of waste composted in FY2025 through our partner, Agrecycle

The Sustainability CommitteeGroup of people standing infant of brick wall

The Sustainability Committee is a group of dedicated food bankers that support the mission of the Food Bank by guiding the organization’s environmental efforts that make positive social and ethical contributions at work and in our community. The committee does this through their vision to innovate processes and inspire collaborative action across the organization.” I would also like a second paragraph “In 2025 the Sustainability Committee hosted several events for staff to participate in, including a seed swap lunch and learn, Earth Day activities, Plastic Free July Challenge, and a food bank branded clothing swap.

Sustainability committee members after a successful spring planting event in the Employee Garden.

The Employee Garden

In 2023 the committee planned and installed an employee garden at the Food Bank’s campus. The garden consists of 6 raised beds and is tended by committee members and other staff members of the food bank, giving those a chance to tend to a garden who may not have the space for it at home.

In 2025 the Employee Garden Group harvested over 125 pounds of produce, herbs, and flowers. The group also added two more rain barrels, for a total of three. When full, they offer 165 gallons for employees to use to water the garden. The Employee Garden Group is looking forward to the 2026 season and has a goal of offering more programming for staff around growing, harvesting, and cooking food from the garden.

Remaining committed to sustainability

In 2024 the Food Bank also earned a Platinum-level Sustainable Pittsburgh Workplace designation. Participation in this program displays our commitment to our community, our economy, and our planet.

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Lincoln Park Community Center’s Food Pantry Coordinator recieved a Sam’s Club donation of produce for their distribution.

Why Sustainability Matters to Us

Food banks exist at the intersection of social and environmental sustainability. Our responsibility is to ensure we manage our processes efficiently to keep food out of landfills and distribute wholesome food to the tables of our neighbors as fast as possible so that our organization has a positive impact on the environment and the people we serve for generations to come.

In fiscal year 2025 we rescued 20,475,281 pounds, which equates to 17 million meals. By rescuing this amount of food, our organization prevented the CO2 equivalent of 32,996 metric tons from being emitted. That equates to 7,856 passenger vehicles taken off the road for a year! Any organic waste generated at the Food Bank is composted and turned into an environmental asset through our compositing provider.

Learn more about our sustainability efforts

How Do Food Banks Affect Climate Change?

The work we do has an impact on the people we serve. It also has an impact on our environment, through methods like waste reduction.

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The Food Bank Achieves LEED Gold Certification

Learn more about how Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank achieved Gold Certification on their building expansion project.

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Converting waste to fertilizer to benefit families in need

We’ve diverted more than 6,000 lbs. of waste from the landfill by sending organic waste to Ecotone Renewable’s biodigester!

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Contact us.

P: 412-460-3663
E: susty@pittsburghfoodbank.org