LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Food insecurity is a growing issue in Kentucky, with one in eight people facing hunger. At the same time, a large percentage of food is going to waste.

“About 30% of the food that is grown and produced every year ends up in a landfill in our area,” said Heather Stewart, executive director of Kentucky Harvest.

Kentucky Harvest is turning to technology to solve that problem and feed people in need.

In early November, the Louisville-based organization launched a new mobile app called Food Rescue Hero. The app connects restaurants, stores and bakeries with volunteers who “rescue” food that likely won’t get sold before reaching its expiration date.

Volunteers, like Randee Norris, then pick it up and deliver it to an organization in need.

“This allows me to pick up an item here or there when I maybe don’t have two or three hours to dedicate to volunteering in a single day,” Norris said.

It’s a small gesture that goes a long way. Data from Feeding America shows more than 570,000 people in the commonwealth face hunger.

“We support more than 85 nonprofits in our community, including homeless shelters, children centers, addiction recovery centers, and churches,” Stewart said. 

Stewart said the organization has depended on volunteers, and the app puts the opportunity to volunteer in people’s hands. On Tuesday, Norris picked up sandwiches, salads and cookies from Thorntons and delivered them to a nonprofit. It took less than an hour.

“I think it’s really great to have the app,” Norris said. “It makes it a lot more convenient for folks who work and still want to give back to the community.”

Kentucky Harvest hopes Food Rescue Hero will help fill up more dinner plates and fewer landfills in the state. To get involved, click here.

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