back-to-top
x
close

Your New Jersey featured an interview with Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson. Heather discussed with Your New Jersey host Lisa Marie Falbo Table to Table’s mission of rescuing fresh, nutritious food for our hungry neighbors, our 25th Anniversary, and our upcoming Chefs Gala.

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 North 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.

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. 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.

Credit: Your New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) — A new community food pantry has opened in Newark, providing not only canned goods, but fresh items, including meat and dairy.

“These community refrigerators are essentially accessible 24/7,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table. “The beauty of the refrigerator is that it can stock those items that tend to be more expensive and more difficult for people to get.”

Credit: PIX11

Organizers say the refrigerator will help bring fresh food to those in need in the community.

An organization in Newark is hoping to address and reduce food insecurity with the installation of a new community refrigerator. The newest community refrigerator just opened at Hyatt Court.

All of the items inside are free for those in need in the community.

“It’s about getting the right food to the right communities at the right time and this model of community refrigerators that are accessible 24/7 for the neighbors right here is truly as good as it gets,” said Heather Thompson, the Executive Director for Table to Table. “This model allowed people to not have to worry about whether their work schedule is at the same time as this week’s distribution or whether they need to find child care, so they can go stand in line and wait for food. They can come get what they need when they need it.”

The refrigerator is a collaborative effort between the United Community Corporation, Table to Table, and the Hyatt Center of Hope.

There are seven community refrigerators in total – six of them in Newark and one in Maplewood. They provide around-the-clock access to staple goods such as milk, juice, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost to those in need.

“It’s an opportunity for people in the community to get access to this food a couple of times a week without pay, as long as it is available. Especially with the high cost of living and the high cost of groceries, the high cost of rent – the high cost of everything in this country, in this state,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “This makes this incredibly important now than any other time.”

The Community Refrigerator at Hyatt Court will be stocked by Table to Table on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Credit: News 12 New Jersey

The New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative has compiled a list of farmers markets across New Jersey that are authorized to accept state SNAP and EBT benefits. Currently, less than 1/10th of 1% of SNAP benefits are redeemed at Farmers Markets, the FDC stated.

Table to Table regularly delivers rescued and donated food to area markets in Newark that serve their communities, but do not accept SNAP/EBT benefits.

  • Bessie Green Community Fresh Produce Market
  • ICC Cortland Street-Fresh Produce Market
  • Senior Market (Grace West, Villa Victoria)

The Farmers Markets accepting SNAP/EBT benefits located in Table to Table’s service area of Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, and Essex counties are:

Bergen County:

Essex County:

  • Ironbound Community Farmers Market/Down Bottom Farms, 371 Ferry St., Newark; Tuesdays, 2 – 7 pm
  • Montclair Community Farms, 1088 Orange Road, Montclair; Mondays, June 17 – Oct. 28, 10 am – noon and 12:30 – 2 pm
  • The Beth Greenhouse Farmers Market, 201 Lyons Ave., Newark; Thursdays, June – November, 11 am – 3 pm
  • Steam Urban Artisan Farmers Market, 179 Broadway, Newark
  • South Orange Downtown Farmers Market, 12 Sloan St., South Orange; Wednesdays until Oct. 30, 2 – 7 pm

Hudson County:

  • Historic Downtown Farmers Market, Grove Street South Path Plaza, Jersey City; Mondays and Thursdays, 3 – 7 pm
  • Riverview Farmers Market, 1 Bowers St., Jersey City; Sundays 10 am – 2 pm until Nov. 24

Passaic County:

  • City Green Farm Eco-Center, 171 Grove St., Clifton; Fridays 10 am – 2 pm and Wednesdays 3 – 6 pm until Nov. 15
  • Little Falls Farmers Market, Municipal Building, 225 Main St., Little Falls; Sundays 9 am – 2 pm until Oct. 27

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 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 homes and make a positive impact on the planet. Every little bit of effort — no matter how small — leads to change.  

Related: