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Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on NorthJersey.com. Click here for the story.

The Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce is doing its part to get the community involved in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup by helping to host several fan festivals in North Jersey.

Five communities will participate in what is essentially a tour of events called Flag Cities 2026. The events are presented by Goya. The events will include live match broadcasts, food trucks, beer gardens, vendors, crafts, cultural activities, and more.

Table to Table will serve as the official food security partner, adding a critical philanthropic touchpoint that will serve to educate attendees and provide direct food contributions to food-insecure families through its network.


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 276 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 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

School district-wide food rescue effort already has delivered 10,000 pounds of food that otherwise would have gone to waste

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on binje.com. Click here for the story.

Here’s the challenging aspect of battling food insecurity: There are plenty of ways society can make a difference — and at little cost. It often just takes some out-of-the-box thinking to discover and implement them.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, is offering a blueprint on how to do just that.

Table to Table and the Ridgewood Public School District have joined forces to reduce food waste and feed those in need for Bergen County’s first district-wide food rescue relationship.

“The impact that the Ridgewood School District is making for our neighbors in need as well as our planet is nothing short of amazing,” said Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson.


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 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

Ridgewood students are leading the charge against food waste

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Ridgewood & Ho-Ho-Kus Magazine. Click here to read the rest of the article.

In the bustling kitchens of Ridgewood Public Schools, the end of the lunch bell no longer signals the end of a meal’s journey. Instead, it marks the beginning of a “rescue mission.”

Ridgewood has officially joined forces with Table to Table — New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization — to ensure that surplus food reaches the hands of those who need it most.

As of a January 2026, the district has completed 99 food rescues, recovering a stagging 7,489 pounds of nutritious food. The feat places Ridgewood at the forefront of sustainability as the first district in Bergen County — and the only the second in the state — to implement the I-Rescue Lunch program district wide.


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 276 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 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

Driver Edgar Brieva rescuing fresh produce from a farm for Table to Table.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in City Lifestyle magazine’s The Oranges, Ramapo Valley, and Northern Highlands editions. Click here to read the rest of the article.

In northern New Jersey, where food insecurity touches every community and billions of pounds of edible food go to waste each year, Table to Table has built a mission rooted in compassion and efficiency. The nonprofit rescues fresh, perishable food and delivers it — free of charge — to neighbors who need it most.

For Executive Director Heather Thompson, the work is both urgent and deeply personal.

“Food represents so much — health, hope, comfort — and I believe it is a human right for everyone to have fresh, nutritious food,” she says. Thompson, whose career includes roles at Citymeals-on-Wheels, Eva’s Village and Norwescap, has seen how quickly families can fall into crisis. “Good, healthy food is often the first thing someone sacrifices when money is tight. And that should not be something we accept as a society.”

Last year, Table to Table rescued enough surplus food to provide more than 23 million meals across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties.


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.

Related:

Table to Table was featured by The Hoboken Girl as one of the places to volunteer in Bergen County this winter.

Editor’s note: The Hoboken Girl included Table to Table in a social media post/list about Where to Volunteer This Winter in Bergen County.

Giving back is always in season, but on MLK Day it’s important to reflect [on] how we are serving our communities.

From food pantries and animal shelters to arts programs and environmental, these local NJ organizations to volunteer at this winter.


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.

Related:

Table to Table's annual Chefs Gala was Oct. 9 at Edgewood Country Club. Chef Christian Petroni was the chef honoree.

Editor’s note: The following aggregated article first appeared in an article and photo gallery on NorthJersey.com. Click here to view the article and click here to view the photo gallery.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, welcomed to its 2025 Chefs Gala more than 25 notable chefs who personally served their signature multi-course menus tableside for guests.

Shining in the spotlight was this year’s honoree, Christian Petroni, the Italian American chef, restauratuer, author and Food Network star. Table to Table’s Chefs Gala raised enough funds to reduce food waste and deliver nearly 5 million nutritious meals to our neighbors in need.

The event was held at the Edgewood Country Club in River Vale on October 9, 2025.


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.

Related:

School Food Waste Expert and Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson

Editor’s note: The following experts first appeared in an article by The Montclair Girl. Read the full article here.

And just like that, 2025 comes to a close. This year was filled with an influx of exciting new businesses in the area and innovative entrepreneurs and creatives shining a light on the community. To mark the end of an eventful year and to welcome the new one, The Montclair Girl is highlighting 26 local women doing great things to keep an eye on in 2026. Read on for a list of 26 women in Montclair + North Jersey to watch in 2025.

Heather Thompson, Director, Table to Table

Heather Thompson is the director of Table to Table, New Jersey’s statewide food rescue program. The program collects fresh, nutritious, perishable food and connects it with neighbors in need through its 303 community partners in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic counties.


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.

Related:

Table to Table's annual Chefs Gala was Oct. 9 at Edgewood Country Club. Chef Christian Petroni was the chef honoree.

Editor’s note: The following article first appeared in (201) MAGAZINE’s December 2025 issue on page 47.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, welcomed to its 2025 Chefs Gala more than 25 notable chefs who personally served their signature multi-course menus tableside for guests.

Shining in the spotlight was this year’s honoree, Christian Petroni, the Italian American chef, restaurateur, author and Food Network star. Table to Table’s Chefs Gala raised enough funds to reduce food waste and deliver nearly 5 million nutritious meals to our neighbors in need.


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.

Related:

Editor’s note: Food journalist, podcaster, and chef Cara Di Falco interviewed Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson. It debuted Dec. 2 on Cara’s YouTube channel.

Cara Di Falco interviewed Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson about SNAP benefits, Table to Table’s charity work, how people can make a difference and volunteer, and how individuals and families can find community support if they need assistance.


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.

Related:

Editor’s note: This story originally aired on News 12 New Jersey. Click here for the story.

News 12 New Jersey ran a story about our food rescue partnership with the Bloomfield School District.

News 12 rode along with our Executive Director Heather Thompson as she rescued food from Watsessing Elementary School and brought it to a local food pantry.


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.

Related: