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Tag: Long Valley

Food insecurity in New Jersey is increasing, with one in 10 households experiencing the status between 2022 and 2024, a new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released recently shows.

“Household Food Security in the United States in 2024” provides state-level food insecurity prevalence rates, averaging data from 2022, 2023, and 2024. The New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (NJOFSA) featured New Jersey-centric findings of the report on its website.

According to the report, between 2022 and 2024:

  • One in 10 households, 9.8%, or about 350,000, experienced food insecurity in New Jersey, an increase from the 8.3% reported in 2019-2022
  • New Jersey recorded the fifth lowest prevalence of household food insecurity in the United States

Although New Jersey’s 9.8% rate of food insecurity is below the national average of 13.3%, “any amount, and increases to, food insecurity is unsuitable for a state with our strong resources, partnerships, and commitment to ensuring food security for all,” the NJOFSA said in an update on its website.

The USDA published its food security report for 30 years before announcing that the 2025 report would be its last one, calling the report and study behind it, “redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous.” It was originally created to support the increase and eligibility of families and individuals to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

The NJOFSA said the report served as an “essential public resource for tracking trends and evaluating progress in food security,” providing the “most consistent national and state level data on household food insecurity.

“It grounds research, informs policy decisions, and helps advocates, agencies, and communities identify where people may struggle to afford enough food.”

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.

Kaleb Lohmann is Table to Table’s December Volunteer Spotlight.

“Food waste while people go hungry in the richest nation in the world is senseless and cruel. I’ve always wanted to help ease suffering in the world, but depression, anxiety, and other health issues stopped me from committing long-term. The Table to Table I-Rescue App is extremely convenient and lets you volunteer in short time frames when and where you want to, like UberEats for those in need. It’s so easy that I’ve been able to complete over 100 rescues in 13 months,” Kaleb said. “Volunteering eases food insecurity, reduces landfill waste and emissions, combats the helplessness so often felt when reading the news, and helps me gain confidence for future employment. It has truly changed my life over the past year, and I couldn’t be more grateful!”

Volunteering Like Kaleb Does

Signing up to be a Table to Table volunteer is easy. Julie Kinner, Table to Table’s Vice President 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! This is what Kaleb uses.

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.

Mr. and Mrs. Esposito are Table to Table’s March Volunteer Spotlight. It is the first time we have featured someone from Morris County for our Volunteer Spotlight!

“As members of Hands of St. Luke in Long Valley, my husband and I are proud to be part of a dedicated group of volunteers who work with Table to Table. We are honored to help pick up and deliver boxes of food in Morris County from the Chester ShopRite, ensuring that those in need in our communities are fed,” Mrs. Esposito said. “While the need is great, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact alongside many hardworking volunteers. We feel truly humbled to contribute, even in small ways, to improving the lives of others.”

Volunteering Like Mr. and Mrs. Esposito Do

Signing up to be a Table to Table volunteer is easy. Julie Kinner, Table to Table’s Vice President 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! This is what Mr. and Mrs. Esposito uses.

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.

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