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Tag: I-Rescue

Please meet Nicole Berezny, Table to Table’s new Morris County Coordinator. Nicole is responsible for developing relationships with supermarkets, restaurants, grocery stores, and recipient partners, and for signing up food rescue volunteers through our Table to Table I-Rescue App as we expand our mission of rescuing food, reducing waste, and relieving hunger in Morris County.

Nicole’s position is made possible thanks to a grant from Impact 100 Garden State. If you’re in Morris County and would like to meet Nicole Berezny, message her through our social media (Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn) or email nberezny@tabletotable.org.

As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, Table to Table’s mission is to reduce food waste and provide nourishment 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 New Jersey who do not have regular access to fresh, nutritious food.

‘The reality is there is need all around us in NJ,’ Thompson told New Jersey Now.

Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson appeared on My9’s New Jersey Now program recently. She spoke with host Mark Bonamo about the need for an organization like Table to Table to exist, our need for more volunteers, and our recent expansion into Morris County.

Watch Heather’s appearance on New Jersey Now below.

As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, Table to Table’s mission is to reduce food waste and provide nourishment 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 New Jersey who do not have regular access to fresh, nutritious food.

Together, we can reduce food waste and make a positive impact on the planet. Every little bit of effort—no matter how small—leads to change.

Congratulations to Chef Jamie Knott for being named the Chef Honoree at Table to Table’s 25th Anniversary Chefs Gala September 25th. Jamie was also announced as the newest trustee of Table to Table’s Board of Directors.

Jamie spent a day rescuing food on a Table to Table truck with Michael Cerstvik, Table to Table’s sourcing coordinator.

“I was blown away by the quality of the food. The fresh produce, the beautiful cuts of meat, and farm-fresh dairy. To think this glorious food could’ve ended up in the trash. But it doesn’t, it makes its way to those in need! That is all thanks to Table to Table,” Jamie said. “There’s enough food on this planet for everyone who is food insecure. But it’s not always making its way to the right mouths. That’s why Table to table is so crucial, and frankly, they’re saving lives out here. I vow to carry on the incredible work that’s been done over the last two and a half decades, and look for ways to expand our reach and impact even further.”

Congratulations, Chef Jamie Knott!

To see photos of the chefs in action at this year’s gala, click here.

Join us in congratulating Kyle and Musashi, Table to Table’s September Volunteers of the Month. Congratulations, Kyle and Musashi!

Kyle and Musashi are students at Dwight Englewood School. They organized a Fresh Food Frenzy challenge at the DE360 Summer Connections camp to teach the next generation about the importance of giving back to our community.

“The project required a great deal of coordination and communication with various camp divisions, but it was all worth it when we saw the campers bringing bags of fresh fruits and vegetables, smiling with pride,” Kyle and Musashi said. “We hope this project will be a lasting lesson for the kids, setting a foundation for the rest of their lives. To the student leaders reading this: Take initiative and start a project! You’ll be amazed at the impact you can make.”

Signing up to be a Table to Table volunteer is easy. Julie Kinner, Table to Table’s VP of Operations, said all you have to do is download the Table to Table I-Rescue app, powered by Food Rescue Hero, on your phone to become a food rescue hero! You’ll complete a simple registration process and volunteer agreement, and then you can get started. The app walks you through every step! Or, you could do what Kyle and Musashi did and organize a fresh food drive.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to volunteer with our food rescue program. However, the driver must have a valid driver’s license, and a valid vehicle registration and insurance. 

Since we launched, more than 350 volunteers have completed more than 9,600 rescues and delivered more than 2 million pounds of donated food that would have been thrown away.

As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, our mission is to reduce food waste and provide nourishment to our food-insecure neighbors throughout North Jersey. We rescue millions of pounds of fresh food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills, contributing 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.

September 30, 2024 – Saddle Brook, NJ – Table to Table’s 25th Anniversary Chefs Gala, which featured an all-star lineup of more than 25 of New Jersey’s best chefs who crafted their delicious, multi-course menus for guests tableside, raised enough funds to provide 4.5 million nutritious meals.

Presented by American Express, this year’s Chefs Gala recognized Chef Jamie Knott as the 2024 Chefs Honoree. Fellow Chefs Ryan DePersio and AJ Capella were the event Co-Chairs, and Chefs David Burke, Nicholas Gatti, and Peter X. Kelly, were inducted into the Founder’s Table, along with other long-time supporters. For the complete list of chefs and mixologists who attended, click here. 

“Our hearts are full. We marked Table to Table’s silver anniversary with an unforgettable event, and we could not have done it without the generous support of our culinary masters, sponsors, partners, and attendees,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “Together, we raised enough to rescue and deliver food for more than 4.5 million healthy meals for our neighbors who struggle to put food on the table,” Thompson concluded.  

Chef Honoree Jamie Knott  

On this milestone anniversary, Table to Table recognized one of New Jersey’s most inventive chef entrepreneurs, the avant-garde culinary master, Jamie Knott. His diverse experience across various culinary styles has established him as a leading figure in the industry. As the chef-owner of such notable restaurants as Saddle River Inn, Cellar 335, Saddle River Café and Madame, Chef Knott warmly welcomes guests for flavorful, unforgettable dining experiences focused on locally sourced, fresh ingredients, reflecting Knott’s commitment to quality. Jamie’s portfolio of restaurants is consistently praised and acknowledged by media and influencers alike. Educated at the New York Restaurant School, his career has been marked by innovation and a deep understanding of the culinary world. Jamie is also deeply committed to giving back to the community through his involvement with Table to Table and several other NJ nonprofits.  

At the Gala, Table to Table proudly announced and welcomed Chef Knott as the newest member of their Board of Trustees. 

Co-Chairpersons Chef Ryan DePersio and Chef AJ Capella  

Chefs Ryan DePersio and AJ Capella, the event’s Co-Chairs, lent their culinary expertise to make this year’s event an unforgettable experience. Ryan is the owner of Battello and Kitchen Step both in Jersey City as well as Ember and Eagle in Eatontown, while AJ is the Executive Chef of Summit House in Summit.  

Special Honorees  

At this year’s Chefs Gala, Table to Table proudly welcomed several long-time supporters to its Founder’s Table: Chef David Burke, Chef Nicholas Gatti, Chef Peter X. Kelly, Eva Megerle, and the Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation. The Founder’s Table was established in 2023 by Table to Table’s Founder Claire Insalata Poulos to recognize individuals, companies, and foundations that have provided extraordinary support to the nonprofit over its 25-year history.  

Additionally, Trustee Emeritus Tracy Nieporent was presented with the Tutti a Tavola Distinguished Award.    

Sponsors for this year’s Table to Table’s Chefs Gala included: American Express (Presenting), American Airlines, Arca Restaurant and Lounge and Crestron (Grand), Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets and Summit Associates (Platinum); David and Kathleen Hildes (Gold); Columbia Bank Foundation, The Kamson Corporation, Takasago and Wegmans (Silver) and Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Valley Bank and Wakefern (Bronze). 

For 25 years, Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue, has bridged the gap between food waste and food insecurity. The organization partners with supermarkets, distributors, restaurants, and others to rescue surplus, quality food, and delivers it directly to nonprofit community partners serving children and families, seniors, veterans, and other neighbors in need.   

What began in 1999 with one food rescue in a donated van, has flourished to become an efficient and impactful operation and a force for change that—to date—has resulted in the rescue and delivery of enough food for over 311 million healthy meals throughout northern New Jersey. To mark their milestone anniversary, the nonprofit has set a goal of rescuing/delivering enough fresh food for 25 million meals this year, via its fleet of 6 trucks and volunteer-based app, Table to Table I-Rescue. The 2024 Chefs Gala is poised to raise enough for 5 million meals.  

To help Table to Table in their mission to reduce food waste and address food insecurity in New Jersey, you can make a donation today – every dollar you contribute provides resources for the organization to rescue and deliver food for 10 healthy meals. For more information on Table to Table, visit www.tabletotable.org.  

About Table to Table  

Table to Table (http://www.tabletotable.org), NJ’s first food rescue organization, collects fresh and perishable food which would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations that serve people experiencing hunger in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties in Northern NJ. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 200+ partner organizations including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, we touch 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. Table to Table raises all its own funds annually, and last year delivered enough food to provide over 23 million meals.  

Credit: https://paramuspost.com/article.php/20241001022200489

Table to Table has served millions of meals using food that would otherwise have been wasted. Its easy-to-use app allows for super-flexible volunteer opportunities.

About 40 percent of food in the United States gets thrown in the garbage. In New Jersey alone, that amounts to more than 3 billion pounds a year—while nearly a million people in the state don’t have enough to eat.

Twenty-five years ago, Table to Table, the first nonprofit food-rescue organization in the state, was formed to help close this gap. Since 1999, it has supplied more than 311 million meals to the hungry.

Keeping food out of landfills, where it emits methane gas as it decays, is a win for the environment, too. Table to Table has protected the planet from more than 73,000 tons of global-warming gasses.

“When good food gets thrown in a dumpster instead of feeding the people who need it, that’s an injustice; it’s unacceptable,” says Heather Thompson, executive director of the Saddle Brook-based nonprofit.

Unlike most food pantries that accept only nonperishable goods, Table to Table collects produce, meat and dairy products. “These tend to get thrown away much more frequently,” Thompson says. “They’re also the most difficult and expensive to access, but the most critical for health and well-being.”

A fleet of six refrigerated trucks picks up food from 350-plus donors each week. Most comes from Hello Fresh’s Newark distribution center, large and small grocery stores and restaurants, and even schools with leftover lunch items. The donations are typically delivered the same day to hunger-relief organizations in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties.

Individuals help out by transporting smaller donations. The organization’s I-Rescue app posts rescue opportunities, and volunteers pick up and deliver the food on a one-time or regular basis. “We’ve been able to expand how we support the community by adding the app,” Thompson says.

In 2023, Table to Table provided more than 23 million meals to neighbors in need. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the goal is to provide 25 million meals this year.

Learn more about how you can help by visiting the Table to Table website.

Credit: New Jersey Monthly

What started as a small group of volunteers with one van and a mission to feed those less fortunate has grown into a significant force for good. In its 25-year history, Saddle Brook-based Table to Table has rescued enough food to provide more than 310 million meals to neighbors in need.

Throughout 2024, its quarter-century anniversary year, the nonprofit has been holding celebratory events, with its annual Chefs Gala coming up on Sept. 25 at the Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, featuring dinner with wine pairings. The program also honors Chef Jamie Knott of Saddle River Inn, a longtime Table to Table supporter.

To join the celebration, and to find out more about Table to Table, visit tabletotable.org.

Credit: Bergen Magazine

About 40 percent of food in the United States gets thrown in the garbage. In New Jersey alone, that amounts to more than 3 billion pounds a year while nearly a million people in the state don’t have enough to eat.

Twenty-five years ago, Table to Table, the first nonprofit food-rescue organization in the state, was formed to help close this gap. Since 1999, it has supplied more than 311 million meals to the hungry.

Keeping food out of landfills, where it emits methane gas as it decays, is a win for the environment, too. Table to Table has protected the planet from more than 73,000 tons of global-warming gasses.

“When good food gets thrown in a dumpster instead of feeding the people who need it, that’s an injustice; it’s unacceptable,” says Heather Thomp­son, executive director of the Saddle Brook-based nonprofit.

Unlike most food pantries that ac­cept only nonperishable goods, Table to Table collects produce, meat, and dairy products. “These tend to get thrown away much more frequently,” Thomp­son says. “They’re also the most difficult and expensive to access, but the most critical for health and well-being.”

A fleet of six refrigerated trucks picks up food from 350-plus donors each week. Most comes from Hello Fresh’s Newark distribution center, large and small grocery stores and restaurants, and even schools with leftover lunch items. The donations are typically delivered the same day to hunger-relief organizations in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties.

Individuals help out by transport­ing smaller donations. The I-Rescue app posts rescue opportunities, and volunteers pick up and deliver the food on a one-time or regular basis. “We’ve been able to expand how we support the community by adding the app,”
Thompson says.

In 2023, Table to Table provided more than 23 million meals to neigh­bors in need. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the goal is to provide 25 million meals this year.

Find out how you can help by visiting tabletotable.org.

Credit: NJ Monthly Magazine

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