At Parkhurst, innovation is one of our core values. We seek innovation in all we do, including how we approach problem-solving to better serve our community. Parkhurst and our client, Argo AI—a leader in autonomous driving technology—are partnering with 412 Food Rescue—a winner of Fast Company’s 2020 World Changing Ideas Awards—on a collaboration that helps address food insecurity in the Pittsburgh region.

Through this first-of-its-kind partnership, Parkhurst-prepared meals are being delivered via Argo AI autonomous driving technology to 412 Food Rescue partner agencies.

“As a longstanding partner of 412 Food Rescue, Parkhurst Dining and Eat’n Park Hospitality Group are passionate about addressing food insecurity,” said Mark Broadhurst, Parkhurst’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are thrilled to partner with forward-thinking organizations like Argo AI and 412 Food Rescue to offer a truly innovative solution to this problem that is rooted in our shared desire to care for the community around us.”

With many people living in food deserts or lacking adequate transportation to visit traditional food pantries, self-driving vehicles like those from Argo AI can play an important role in the food delivery ecosystem, filling in the gap between businesses with food to share and nonprofit organizations supporting those in need.

“At Parkhurst, we are passionate about food and seek opportunities to connect with our community through the meals we prepare,” said Sean Kelly, Parkhurst’s Executive Chef at Argo AI. “We know food is nourishment, and we also feel strongly that it should be experienced and enjoyed. Transportation barriers shouldn’t keep people from accessing delicious, comforting, and nourishing meals.”

This pilot program launched in early August, with plans to expand to additional routes in the coming months.