The Behind The Seams Fashion Show Benefitting Table to Table was Held at Bottagra Restaurant
Editor’s note: BC The Mag covered the Behind The Seams Fashion Show at Bottagra Wednesday. For more photos from the event, visit BC The Mag’s website.
Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane saved.
Pantry Announces Partnership with Table to Table to Expand Food Access and Reduce Food Local Waste
Editor’s note: This excerpt about Table to Table’s new partnership with the Montville Kiwanis Food Pantry originally appeared on Montville Patch. Click here to read the entire story.
The Montville Kiwanis Food Pantry celebrates 15 years of dedicated community service today, April 25th. Marking this significant milestone, the pantry proudly announces a new partnership with Table to Table, Northern New Jersey’s pioneering food rescue organization. This collaboration, launched yesterday will enhance the pantry’s ability to combat food insecurity by providing weekly deliveries of rescued food, starting with breakfast items and baked goods from local Wawa stores.
This partnership represents a major step in the pantry’s ongoing mission to meet the increasing needs of the community through sustainable and cost-effective solutions. As demand for food assistance grows, this initiative will allow the pantry to expand its offerings without increasing operational costs. In March 2025 alone, the pantry supported 413 individuals across 133 visits, including welcoming 7 newly registered households, underscoring the urgency for innovative food sourcing.
“Heading into our 15th year of service, it’s more important than ever that we deepen our impact,” said Danielle Mangione-Vasser, Co-Director of the Montville Kiwanis Food Pantry. “This partnership with Table to Table allows us to expand food access, reduce waste, and better support the hundreds of individuals who count on us—without increasing our operating costs.”
Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane saved.
Editor’s note: This excerpt about Table to Table’s second Partners in Good Health Conference appeared on ROI-NJ’s website May 12. Click here for the complete story.
Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, successfully concluded its second annual Partners in Good Health Conference co-sponsored by Montclair State University’s Social Work and Child Advocacy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The conference is designed to connect, inform and empower the nonprofit’s partner pantries, social service agencies, shelters and other community partners who distribute the food delivered by Table to Table to communities in need throughout Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson and Morris counties.
The daylong event, which took place on the university’s campus, featured subject matter experts in the areas of nutrition, emotional resilience and “micro-habit” changes for better health. The afternoon capped off with a town hall discussion led by New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) team members Mark Dinglasan, Dan Dychtwald, Ph.D., MPH, MS and Jemmell’z Washington-Rock, as well New Jersey Assemblywoman Shama D. Haider, who serves as chairwoman for the Assembly Committee on Children, Families, and Food Security.
Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane saved.
Editor’s note: This excerpt about Veer Agarwal and his food rescue club ResQFood, originally appeared on News 12 NJ’s Jersey Proud segment. Click here for their story.
News 12 New Jersey highlighted Veer Agarwal on their Jersey Proud segment Thursday. Agarwal is the founder of ResQFood, a food rescue club at Livingston High School, and a Table to Table Food Rescue Hero. We’ve helped Veer and his team of 30 volunteers perform more than 200 rescues of nutritious food in and around Livingston by coordinating the pick-ups and drop-offs.
“I am a proud volunteer of Table to Table because of what this organization and cause stands for. Every person in New Jersey should have secure access to healthy meals, but the reality is that 1 million people are food insecure and 3 billion pounds of food gets thrown out annually,” Agarwal previously said. “When picking up surplus food from restaurants and donating to local food pantries, I feel satisfied knowing that some family out there is benefitting from my efforts.”
Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane saved.
Editor’s note: This excerpt about Behind The Seams 2025 was taken from the original article that appeared in Total Food Service Magazine’s May 2025 issue. Click here to read the entire article.
In Northern New Jersey, something remarkable has taken root—an ever-growing movement of restaurants, retailers, and community members joining forces to tackle one of society’s most pressing issues: hunger. At the heart of this effort is the connection between the community and solving the issue. It begins with individuals and businesses stepping forward to create a solution. In this case, a business and its visionary leadership: Ralph Lauretta of Sal Lauretta for Men has done exactly that. With his friend, Joey Mazza, the Behind the Seams Fashion Show was born.
The collaboration is set to return for its 15th year on Wednesday, May 14, at the elegant Bottagra Restaurant in Hawthorne. For the first time, Lauretta and Mazza have teamed with Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit. This high-energy evening, blending gourmet food, fashion, and philanthropy, is more than just a celebration—it’s a powerful demonstration of what’s possible when people rally for a cause greater than themselves. What started as an idea between friends over fashion and charity has grown into a full-scale, high-impact collaboration transforming he way businesses give back. From year one, the event has supported community-focused nonprofits.
“I’ve always believed our store should be a platform for change,” Lauretta detailed. “With Table to Table, it’s local, it’s tangible, and you see the impact in your own backyard.”
To purchase tickets to Behind The Seams 2025, click here.
Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane saved.
The Morris County Chamber of Commerce has recognized Table to Table’s I-Rescue App with a 2025 Award for Nonprofit Excellence for Innovative Program.
Less than six months since its launch into Morris County, I-Rescue — an innovative app that empowers volunteers to pick up and deliver food donations using their own vehicles — has already facilitated the rescue of more than 80,000 pounds of nutritious surplus food from local grocery stores, farmers markets and restaurants, and redirected it to pantries, shelters and other community agencies throughout Morris County.
April 9, 2025 – Saddle Brook, NJ – The Morris County Chamber of Commerce has recognized Table to Table’s I-Rescue App with a 2025 Award for Nonprofit Excellence for Innovative Program. Less than six months since its launch into Morris County, I-Rescue – an innovative app that empowers volunteers to pick up and deliver food donations using their own vehicles, has already facilitated the rescue of more than 80,000 pounds of nutritious surplus food from local grocery stores, farmers markets and restaurants, and redirected it to pantries, shelters and other community agencies throughout Morris County.
As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, Table to Table mobilizes a fleet of refrigerated trucks, alongside hundreds of volunteers, to rescue over 20 million pounds of food each year and ensure it reaches neighbors facing food insecurity.
“We have been so warmly received throughout Morris County and we and could not be prouder of this recognition from The Morris County Chamber of Commerce,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “We are especially grateful to our generous food donors, tireless volunteers, and community partners, as well as the members of Impact 100 Garden State. Every box of fresh produce, every tray of nutritious food, makes a real difference for someone who wasn’t sure where their next meal would come from. Together, we are bridging the gap between food waste and food insecurity,” Thompson concluded.
How does Table to Table I-Rescue Work? Table to Table I-Rescue App, powered by Food Rescue Hero, allows volunteers to easily rescue surplus fresh and prepared food from local supermarkets, restaurants, and corporate cafeterias and deliver it to our neighbors facing food insecurity in about an hour. To learn more and download I-Rescue, go to https://tabletotable.org/i-rescue/.
About Table to Table Table to Table (http://www.tabletotable.org) is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have kept more than 120,700 tons of nutritious, edible food out of landfills—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane from impacting climate change in the process.
March 26, 2025– Saddle Brook, NJ – Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, received a generous $25,000 grant from Avolta’s Journey for Good Foundation in support of its more than 25-year-old mission to reduce food waste and feed individuals and families facing food insecurity throughout northern New Jersey.
Journey For Good Foundation is the philanthropic arm in North America for Avolta, a leading global travel retail and food & beverage player. In the Summer of 2024, Table to Table launched an official partnership with Avolta to begin rescuing a range of food, including ‘grab and go’ sandwiches, salads, and snacks from numerous HMSHost and Hudson locations within Newark Liberty International Airport. This surplus, donated food is then delivered directly to pantries and social service organizations in Newark and surrounding communities, ensuring it reaches those who need it most while it is still fresh.
“Thank you, Journey For Good Foundation – we are incredibly grateful for your partnership. Through your support, Table to Table can keep more quality food out of landfills, and nourish even more children, families, seniors and veterans who struggle to put healthy meals on the table,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “In fact, this incredible gift will provide resources for us to rescue and deliver enough food for approximately 250,000 nutritious meals.” Thompson concluded.
“On behalf of Journey For Good Foundation, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of passengers who, through their generosity, have made it possible for us to give back to communities across northern New Jersey,” said Journey For Good Foundation Director Jordan Silverman. “We are deeply humbled to support Table to Table’s work reducing food waste and ensuring that nutritious food reaches our neighbors who need it most.”
About Table to Table
Table to Table (http://www.tabletotable.org) is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane saved.
About Journey For Good Foundation
Journey For Good Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to fight poverty in the local community with food, shelter, education, and workforce development. Prior to 2024, Journey For Good Foundation, Inc. operated as HMSHost Foundation, Inc. Journey For Good Foundation is a charitable arm of Avolta in North America and was established to unite and build upon HMSHost Foundation, Hudson, and Dufry’s charitable giving efforts. Charitable work carried out by Journey For Good Foundation is done based on pillars of giving:
· Relieve hunger and promote nutritional wellness through food related initiatives;
· Combat homelessness through access to safe housing, furnishings, clothing, and stable employment;
· Encourage the next generation through access to education and training;
· Provide opportunity for financial stability through hospitality industry training and placement;
· Honor our veterans and their families by supporting programs that meet their needs for food, shelter, medical care, and job training and placement.
Table to Table, NJ’s First and Largest Food Rescue, Makes History by Partnering with HMSHost and Hudson at Newark Airport Stores to Pick Up Food Surplus
15th Annual Fashion Show to Feature Gourmet Food, Silent and Live Auction, and Runway Show
Saddle Brook, N.J. – February 26, 2025 – Behind the Seams, an annual high-energy fashion show, will benefit Table to Table, a community-based food rescue program, and take place at Bottagra Restaurant in Hawthorne on Wednesday, May 14 from 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. This year marks the 15th annual Behind the Seams which attracts over 300 guests each year. Proceeds from Behind the Seams will help Table to Table continue its mission of collecting fresh, nutritious, perishable food that would otherwise be wasted and delivering it free to organizations serving the hungry in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic counties.
“Behind the Seams is one of my favorite nights of the year because it brings together a group of people who are passionate about giving back to their local communities and they create an energy and excitement that’s unparalleled,” said Joey Mazza, Director of Special Events and Restaurant Partnerships for Table to Table. “We look forward to a night of fine dining, entertainment, and fashion that will allow Table to Table feed our neighbors.”
Since Table to Table was established in 1999, it has:
Rescued 120,700 tons of nutritious food
Rescued and delivered enough food for 241,400,846 meals
Saved 544 metric tons of methane
Behind the Seams will consist of a lavish cocktail hour, gourmet food and beverage stations, silent and live auctions, and a tented runway show featuring 2025 spring and summer styles by two clothing boutiques with long-standing roots in New Jersey. Male styles will be presented by Sal Lauretta for Men, a men’s shop in Midland Park that specializes in fine made-to-measure and designer menswear. Boutique 811, a women’s fashion boutique in Franklin Lakes that offers unique styles plus personal styling services, will showcase seasonal trends for women.
Tickets for Behind the Seams 2025 are currently on sale. To purchase a ticket, reserve a table, or secure a sponsorship, visit: https://tabletotable.org/fashionshow/
About Table to Table Table to Table (http://www.tabletotable.org) is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 partner organizations including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for more than 241 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons from being released into the environment.
Photos available upon request
Nutritious Food From Newark Airport Will Nourish NJ Neighbors in Need and Reduce Food Waste
December 17, 2024 – Saddle Brook, NJ – Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, has for the first time in its 25-year history added an airport to its food donor roster. Table to Table is rescuing a range of food, including ‘grab and go’ sandwiches, salads, and snacks from numerous HMSHost and Hudson locations within Newark Liberty International Airport.
“With three billion meals wasted annually in New Jersey and one million residents experiencing food insecurity, Table to Table is truly grateful to have food donors like HMSHost and Hudson stores at Newark Liberty International Airport joining us to relieve hunger and reduce food waste,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “Next time you walk through Newark Airport and notice all the fresh food at these retailers and restaurants—know that every week, all that extra food is being safely picked up and delivered to people who need it,” Thompson concluded.
Table to Table’s partnership with HMSHost and Hudson—part of leading global travel experience player Avolta, which operates travel convenience, specialty retail, duty-free, and food and beverage locations in travel venues in 73 countries—soft-launched in late summer. Currently, Table to Table rescues food from nine HMSHost dining venues in Terminal B and seven Hudson retail locations in Terminals A and B. Plans are in place to grow the program with additional dining venues in Newark Airport’s Terminal C in the coming months.
“Across our more than 2,000 travel retail and food and beverage locations in North America, there is a tremendous opportunity to have a positive impact in the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with Table to Table at Newark Liberty International Airport to help ensure that less food ends up in landfills and more of it finds a way to the tables of those who need it. We look forward to growing this program to fight food insecurity throughout New Jersey,” said Jordi Martin-Consuegra, Chief Operating Officer, North America, Avolta.
About Table to Table
Table to Table (http://www.tabletotable.org) is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 270+ partner organizations including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 109,000 tons of nutritious food—enough for over 311 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 72,000 tons of CO2eq from being released into the environment.
Press Contact:
Maria Sinopoli, Director of Marketing Communications
