A food rescue involves picking up surplus fresh and prepared food from grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, corporate cafeterias etc. and delivering it for free to neighbors in need. Established in 1999, Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization.
The nutritious surplus food is taken to a variety of not-for-profit community partners that feed food insecure communities throughout Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, and Morris counties. Food is transported to pantries, shelters, daycare centers, group homes, substance abuse and rehabilitation programs, churches, among others that help feed those in need.
Table to Table rescues surplus fresh and prepared food and delivers it for free to hundreds of community partners who feed those in need. Food donations are picked up and delivered immediately to partners feeding the hungry. Food banks typically buy, collect, warehouse and distribute canned and non-perishable foods.
Overbuying, manufacturing and distribution issues, weather conditions, and misconceptions of “best use-by dates” can create food overages.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as households that are, at times, unable to acquire adequate food for one or more household members because they lacked the money and other resources for food. Food insecurity is further divided into “low food security,” primarily the reduced quality of food, and “very low food security,” the reduced quality and quantity of food.
In New Jersey, in 2022, the last year accurate data is available:
- More than 994,000 individuals experienced food insecurity in New Jersey, the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate reported. The food insecurity rate was 10.7% in New Jersey compared to 13.5% in the U.S.
- 263,000 children 17 and younger experienced food insecurity, 13.2% of that age group’s population
- Black (all ethnicities) (21.0%) and Latino (Hispanic) (20.0%) individuals experience food insecurity at higher rates than White (6.0%) individuals in New Jersey.
- From 2018 to 2022, food insecurity in New Jersey increased, from 8.7% overall and 11.3% among children to 10.7% overall and 13.2% among children.
Both the federal government and the state of New Jersey enacted laws to protect food donors. The U.S. Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (Public Law 104-210) and the New Jersey Food Bank Good Samaritan Act provide immunity from civil and criminal liability to donors of prepared and perishable food who give it to nonprofit organizations.
Because Table to Table delivers to hundreds of community partners, it serves tens of thousands of people weekly. Additionally, smaller agencies with few resources have an equal opportunity to share in the fresh food that Table to Table delivers.
For every dollar donated, enough food for 10 nourishing meals will be provided to neighbors in need.
Ninety-eight percent of every dollar we raise goes directly into our program. Table to Table has been awarded the prestigious 4-star rating by Charity Navigator for 14 consecutive years. Currently, we are ranked one of the most efficient not-for-profits in New Jersey. We have also earned the Guidestar Exchange Platinum Level designation. Click the logos below to learn more.
