City Harvest, a food rescue organization dedicated to feeding New York City's hungry, is the first Penske customer to commit to operate a fleet of hybrid trucks.

"Our organization was founded on the notion of using resources wisely," says Emory Edwards, City Harvest director of food transportation. "We are pleased to partner with Penske in bringing this truck fleet to the streets of New York City and to lead the way in the development of this cutting-edge technology. The trucks will help us to deliver food in a cost-effective manner to New Yorkers in need."

Penske will provide City Harvest with full-service truck leasing support for the hybrids. By the close of 2009, City Harvest plans to have converted its entire fleet of 16 trucks to full hybrid technology. City Harvest is now operating four 18-foot International DuraStar Hybrid trucks to deliver food in New York.

"City Harvest is on the leading edge with its commitment to bring a green fleet to New York," said Joe Cataudella, area vice president of Penske Truck Leasing, for the New York Metro Area. "By using hybrids they can double their fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by 40 percent. We are seeing increased demand for these vehicles nationwide due to high fuel costs and our customers' environmental improvement initiatives."

City Harvest uses its truck fleet to rescue excess food from all segments of the food industry, delivering it free of charge to more than 600 community food programs throughout the five boroughs. This year, the organization will rescue 23 million pounds of food that would otherwise go to waste, feeding more than 260,000 hungry men, women, and children each week.