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Tag: food insecurity

The amount of discarded food equals 267 million meals: ReFED

A new analysis estimates that 320 million pounds of food worth $550 million will be thrown away on Thanksgiving. That discarded food equals 267 million meals that could have gone to help feed our hungry neighbors. This is about the same amount of food ReFED estimated was wasted last Thanksgiving.

ReFED, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending loss and waste across the food ecosystem, and NielsenIQ, published their findings of a survey conducted in October.

A major reason for the waste is that more than 90 percent of Thanksgiving hosts intentionally prepare more food that is needed for their Thanksgiving gathering, according to ReFED. What is troubling is that nearly half of all hosts surveyed said they are not concerned about food waste around the holidays. Additionally, 12% of hosts, who feed 36 million people, according to the survey, do not plan to manage their leftovers in any specific way.

The breakdown of what is done with those leftovers covers a wide variety of options:

  • 45% send guests home with food
  • 46% make sandwiches or wraps
  • 32% eat it for breakfast or brunch
  • 31% make new meals like casseroles or soups

In New Jersey, officials estimate that 1.1 million residents are food insecure.

As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, Table to Table’s mission is to reduce food waste by rescuing nutritious food and deliver it to our food-insecure neighbors throughout northern New Jersey. We rescue millions of pounds of fresh food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills. This contributes to climate change. We deliver it to partner organizations who support the nearly 1 million people in our area who need it most.

Together, we can reduce food waste in our home and make a positive impact on the planet. Every little bit of effort—no matter how small—leads to change. Join us. Become a food rescue hero by downloading the Table to Table I-Rescue app. Claim a rescue, pick the food up, and deliver it to a local nonprofit. Most rescues take less than 1 hour.

By Executive Director Heather Thompson

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters,

I am writing to you on a truly somber note as the looming food insecurity crisis draws near. At this very moment, food pantries and emergency food providers across New Jersey are facing growing and unprecedented demand as the ongoing federal shutdown delays SNAP benefits. Based on what we know now, beginning on November 1 over 800,000 New Jersey residents – families with children; working folks like teachers and restaurant servers; senior citizens and veterans – will not have their SNAP cards filled until further notice.

As a result, lines at pantries are already growing longer by the day – and our 300+ community partners are reaching out to us every day, desperate for more fresh food to support the growing need.

Rescuing and delivering free, surplus food to communities in need is Table to Table’s core mission and daily work. And as need spikes in our communities, we are doubling down. Our drivers are working overtime, picking up surplus fresh food from farms, distributors, meal kit companies, and supermarkets. Our devoted ‘Food Rescue Hero’ volunteers are running rescues 7 days a week to pick up food from local markets, cafeterias, and restaurants, and delivering directly to nearby partners.

Everyone can play a role to rescue food and feed our neighbors during this time – including you.

Every single dollar you donate provides the resources to rescue and deliver food for another 10 meals. A donation of $344 funds a refrigerated truck and driver for a full day, rescuing enough fresh food for thousands of meals. If you are in a position to give, please know that your gift will go to work immediately to feed neighbors right here in New Jersey.

Donate

And, there are plenty of other ways you can get involved:

Individuals and Families

Volunteer
Host a Food Drive
Donate

Corporations and Community/Civic Organizations

  • Rally your employees/members to volunteer for a food distribution, an I-Rescue App takeover, or a day of making bagged meals
  • Make a contribution or organize an employee giving campaign
  • Host a produce or turkey drive        
Become a Partner

Food Businesses and Restaurants

  • Connect with us to donate surplus food to community partners – we’ll pick up from your location for free, and safely deliver to a nearby pantry or shelter
  • If you’re planning to offer free food or meals for your neighbors during this time, we’re happy to help transport and distribute
Donate Food

Schools

  • Host a produce or turkey drive (if you’ve already hosted one – THANK YOU!)
  • Connect with us for cafeteria rescues
Partner With Us

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

Food banks across New Jersey are seeing signs of mounting demands as the ongoing federal government shutdown disrupts and threatens to delay Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits for thousands of low-income families, NorthJersey.com reported.

In cities from Paterson to Montclair and in Bergen County, the ripple effects are beginning to show. At Table to Table, a food rescue nonprofit that sources surplus food for about 300 food pantries across North Jersey, the ripple effects are already being felt.

“Nov. 1 is right around the corner, and over 800,000 New Jersey residents will not have their SNAP cards refilled,” said Heather Thompson, the group’s executive director. “This will impact working families, veterans, seniors, and children who rely on SNAP to get food on the table. Our pantry partners are telling us the lines are getting longer each day, and the full impact of the hold on SNAP funding hasn’t yet been felt.”

Related: Table to Table Statement on Federal Government Shutdown & SNAP Benefits

Thompson said Table to Table has been fielding daily calls from community partners requesting more food, particularly meat, produce and other perishable items.

“We’re working seven days a week to deliver as much free, fresh food as possible,” she said. “We’re stretched from a staffing perspective, but our team is doubling down. We’re asking food donors and volunteers to step up during this unprecedented strain our families and seniors.”

Table to Table is urging local businesses to donate surplus food and volunteers to sign up through its I-Rescue App, which allows residents to pick up and deliver food rescues in their area.

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 appeared on binje.com. Click here for the story.

Affinity Federal Credit Union marked its fourth annual Impact Day by partnering with Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, to provide nearly 5,000 meals to local families in need.

The major volunteer effort saw over 370 Affinity employees participate at the credit union’s headquarters in Basking Ridge on Oct. 14 (Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day), when branches were closed. Employees from across Affinity’s tri-state footprint—from New Jersey to Connecticut—assembled meals, including sandwiches, snacks, and water, and included words of inspiration for recipients.

The prepared meals were distributed to 16 community nonprofits across the northern half of New Jersey that work directly with individuals and families facing hunger.

News 12 New Jersey ran a story about food prices rising faster than inflation, an estimated 30% since the COVID pandemic. Our Executive Director Heather Thompson spoke with News12 about individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and the choices they’re making regarding what food to purchase.

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:

Our primary focus is rescuing surplus food from our network of food donors and delivering it to our community partners.

Our Executive Director Heather Thompson and Vice President of Operations Julie Kinner participated in a panel discussion “Beyond the Delivery: Working Hand in Hand with our Community Partners” at Food Rescue Hero’s annual Food Rescue Conference 2025. They discussed how we’re building community through our food rescue work in northern New Jersey.

Leland Scales from 412 Food Rescue was also a member of the panel.

Related:

November 1 is around the corner, and over 800,000 NJ residents do not know whether their SNAP cards will be refilled.  

The federal government shutdown could impact hundreds of thousands of working folks, families with children, veterans, and senior citizens here in New Jersey who rely on SNAP to get food on the table.   

Coupled with furloughs for military and government workers, rising healthcare and housing costs, and ongoing inflation, more and more of our neighbors are facing unprecedented strain – and they are turning to their local food pantries for help. 

Especially with the holidays coming, we are working seven days a week to supply as much free, fresh food as possible to our network of 300 pantries, community kitchens, and social service agencies – rescuing surplus from food donor partners ranging from HelloFresh and Driscoll Foods, to major grocery stores, to local farmers markets and school cafeterias. And you can help.  

Do you have connections to a food business? Introduce us! Do you have a little extra time on your hands? Download our I-Rescue App and help run rescues where you live or work. Are you in an office, part of a faith or civic group, club, Scout troop, or school community? Coordinate with us to organize a produce or turkey drive – we’ll pick up everything and deliver directly to local pantries. 

And if you or someone you know is facing hardships right now and you need help finding food, visit https://nj211.org/njsnap and click on Supplemental Food Resources. 

Together, we will continue our daily commitment to turn surplus into sustenance for our community. 

###

Below is flier from the New Jersey Department of Human Services regarding the federal government shutdown and NJ SNAP food assistance in English and Spanish.

SNAP-Nov-2025-Update-Flyer SNAP-Nov-2025-Update-Flyer-Spanish

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 food prices rising faster than inflation, an estimated 30% since the COVID pandemic. Our Executive Director Heather Thompson spoke with News12 about individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and the choices they’re making regarding what food to purchase.

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:

Over 370 staff members partnered with New Jersey food rescue program to support local hunger relief efforts

Basking Ridge, NJ – Affinity Federal Credit Union (“Affinity”) hosted its fourth annual Impact Day by partnering Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, to provide nearly 5,000 meals to local families in need. Over 370 Affinity employees took part in the event at the credit union’s headquarters in Basking Ridge on Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day, October 14, when branches were closed. Employees made meals including sandwiches, snacks, water and wrote words of inspiration for recipients. The meals were distributed to 16 community non-profits across the northern half of New Jersey that work directly with individuals and families in need.

“This collective effort by Affinity’s employees across our footprint, from Lawrenceville, New Jersey to New Haven, Connecticut and everywhere in between hits at the core of our mission of people helping people,” said Kevin Brauer, CEO and President of Affinity Federal Credit Union. “The feeling of giving back to our communities is like no other. I’m proud of our work to tackle food insecurity and support some of those most impacted.”

The event marked the largest single-day volunteer initiative in the history of Table to Table, which has partnered with community service groups across North Jersey since its inception in 1999. Table to Table collects fresh, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste from farms, distributors, stores, restaurants and more, and delivers it for free directly to organizations that feed the hungry.

“We are incredibly overjoyed by the collaboration, enthusiasm, and commitment of Affinity’s volunteers to give back to our communities in need,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table. “This effort not only provides nourishment to thousands of struggling neighbors, but also it provides hope. We are grateful to Affinity for making an event of this scale a successful reality.”

“This year’s Impact Day demonstrates how powerful we can be when we work together toward a shared goal,” said Kelly Watts, Executive Director of the Affinity Foundation. “By partnering with Table to Table, our team made a tangible difference for thousands of our neighbors, reinforcing our belief that financial wellbeing begins with basic security and support.”

About Affinity Federal Credit Union

Affinity Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution, member-owned and community-focused, with a mission to nurture your financial wellbeing. With 20 branches across the tri-state area, Affinity is the largest credit union headquartered in the state of New Jersey, proudly ranking in the top 2% of all credit unions in terms of asset size1. The Affinity difference is about people helping people on a deeper level and understanding what YOU need to make your unique dreams a reality. For more information, please visit www.affinityfcu.com.

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 work with food businesses of all types to rescue fresh, nutritious surplus food, and deliver it for free to 300+ social service organizations, pantries, shelters, community produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Through our community partnerships, Table to Table reaches families, children, veterans, older adults, and others in need, improving food security, nutritional access, and better health. 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, while also saving over 544 metric tons of methane from impacting climate change by preventing food waste.

Click here to view a gallery of photos from the event.

Stephanie Conley-Webb at Table to Table

Editor’s note: This blog post originally appeared on Common Impact’s website. Click here to read the rest of the blog.

When you think of a hero, you might picture someone in a cape. But at Table to Table, heroes come in all forms. Some drive minivans full of food, and some are retirees with a little extra time. In this spotlight, we sat down with Stephanie Conley-Webb, volunteer manager at Table to Table, to hear how her organization is tackling hunger across New Jersey through creative food rescue strategies and community partnerships, including skills-based volunteering.

Today, thanks to I-Rescue and the support of our amazing volunteers, we recover surplus food from local restaurants, grocery stores, caterers, and corporate and school cafeterias, among many others.

Stephanie Conley-Webb, Table to Table’s volunteer coordinator

Stephanie shares powerful stories that show the impact of Table to Table’s work. She also reflects on how Table to Table leveled up its volunteer program after participating in a skills-based volunteering project with Novartis and Common Impact. The insights they gained about storytelling, inclusion, and how a simple name change can spark big engagement are already making a difference.

“We’re celebrating 26 years of impact this year and know we can always do more. In 2021, we realized that sending a 26-foot refrigerated truck to pick up a few pizzas from a local pizzeria wasn’t the best use of resources. That’s when we partnered with a food rescue app, launching our I-Rescue program. What started as a way to recover a few hundred thousand pounds of food quickly grew,” Stephanie said. “In 2024 alone, we rescued over 1.8 million pounds of food that would have otherwise gone to waste through the app. Today, thanks to I-Rescue and the support of our amazing volunteers, we recover surplus food from local restaurants, grocery stores, caterers, and corporate and school cafeterias, among many others.”

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:

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