At Hog Wild BBQ, good food isn’t wasted – it’s shared. For years, Ernie Mellor, owner and pitmaster of Hog Wild BBQ, has made sure that surplus food doesn’t end up in the trash. Whether it’s employees enjoying leftovers or extra meals being donated to those in need, he’s always been committed to feeding people rather than filling landfills.
Now, with the help of Project Green Fork (PGF) and the Careit food donation platform, his team is taking that commitment to the next level by tracking their donations, strengthening community partnerships, and making an even bigger impact.
A longtime commitment to food rescue
“I can’t stand throwing good food away, at work or at home,” Mellor said. “We eat a lot of leftovers here. The benefit at work is that my employees get a good meal every day. But we also realize the hunger situation in our city and hope our donations help in that cause.”
That deep sense of responsibility is why Hog Wild BBQ has posted nine donations in the first six weeks through Careit to Recover Food Feed Hope, a Memphis-based food rescue partner based at Church of the Holy Communion. With each donation, they’re helping ensure that perfectly good, high-quality meals reach those facing food insecurity rather than being thrown away.
Making donations easier with Careit
Hog Wild had already been donating food, but since Holy Communion was already using Careit, it made perfect sense for Hog Wild to join them on the platform.
“This alleviates them having to call us daily and us calling them back,” Mellor explained. “We do our best to get the information posted by 10 a.m. each day.”
Now, with a simple post in the app, Hog Wild’s contributions are seamlessly connected with those who need them.
Food rescue in action
One of Mellor’s most memorable food rescue experiences took place during the height of COVID-19. As his business adapted to the challenges of the pandemic by offering home deliveries, an unexpected opportunity to help others emerged.
“One of our clients was making a donation to the Salvation Army, which was feeding the homeless in makeshift shelters,” he recalled. “They recommended that we help out. That was part of the 265 turkey sandwiches we made for the cause.”
Hog Wild offers us a great example of how we can make a big difference by stepping up when our community needs us most.
Why it matters
At the heart of Hog Wild BBQ’s commitment to food rescue is a simple but powerful philosophy: giving back.
“We have always given back to the community in numerous ways and with a variety of different organizations,” Mellor said. “This is an easy way for us to continue to do that. We hope that those on the end of the fork enjoy what has been prepared for them!”
For Mellor and his team, food is about more than business – it’s about connection, generosity, and community impact. Thanks to their collaboration with Project Green Fork, they’re making sure every meal has the potential to feed someone who truly needs it.
Join the food rescue movement
For restaurants and caterers, food waste represents a missed opportunity to make a difference. Join Hold Wild in the fight against food waste and food insecurity by getting in touch with PGF’s Food Rescue Coordinator, Heidi Rupke today.
Learn more about our food waste reduction efforts at www.projectgreenfork.org.
