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.
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