Green Bay Food Rescuers Save 1,200 Lbs from Lambeau

When 1,200 pounds of surplus food sat unused after a Luke Combs concert at Lambeau Field, it didn't end up in a landfill. Instead, it became hundreds of nutritious meals for people in Green Bay who needed them most.

Rooted In Inc. is transforming how communities handle perfectly good food that would otherwise go to waste. Founded by Selena Darrow, the organization picks up surplus food from local partners, prepares it into ready-to-eat meals, and stocks community fridges where anyone facing food insecurity can grab what they need.

The timing couldn't be better for their expansion. Rooted In Inc. just moved from a church basement into a full commercial kitchen inside Curative Connections, giving them serious room to grow their impact.

Their partnership with Delaware North, the food service provider at Lambeau Field, shows how creative collaboration can feed communities. The concert food never even left Lambeau's kitchen but now fills freezers at Rooted In's new space, ready to become meals for neighbors in need.

The organization needs hands to match their heart. Volunteer opportunities range far beyond cooking, including picking up food donations, weighing and portioning in the kitchen, managing inventory, and coordinating deliveries.

Jeanette Knill has volunteered since nearly day one. "It's just a really great way to connect with people who have similar ideas and thoughts as you do," she says. "It's refreshing to know that you're doing something really good for other people."

The Ripple Effect

Technology is about to supercharge this food rescue operation. Rooted In is launching Knead Tech, a phone app that will coordinate food pickups and deliveries in real time.

Volunteers will be able to sign up for shifts, create profiles, and claim food recovery missions right from their phones. The streamlined system means more food saved, more meals served, and easier ways for busy people to help their community.

Details about the app launch will appear on Rooted In Inc.'s website soon. Every pound of food rescued is a win for the environment, a blessing for families stretching tight budgets, and proof that communities can solve big problems when they work together.