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Mayors Ras J. Baraka and James Solomon and Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, along with other county and local officials, announced Newark and Jersey City as official locations for Goya Presents Flag Cities at press conference

LYNDHURST, NJ – March 11, 2026 – Goya Presents Flag Cities 2026, the premier FIFA World Cup 2026™ fan festival series in Northern New Jersey, today announced together with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon and Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, the addition of their cities as the fourth and fifth official host locations, joining Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus, East Rutherford and Bergen County’s Overpeck Park as Flag Cities hosts.

Among other advancements in the event series, NJ TRANSIT was named service partner for Goya Presents Flag Cities 2026, with special programming for transportation services – as well as a cooperative advertising and notification program to riders. Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, will serve as the official food security partner, adding a critical philanthropic touchpoint that will serve to educate attendees, reduce food waste, and feed local neighbors in need.

Goya Presents Flag Cities also announced several key partners supporting the event series. FIFA official sponsor brands: Casamigos Tequila, Buchanan’s Scotch and Don Julio1942 Tequila will collaborate to bring cocktails and brand experiences to life during these events. In Thyme Caterers of Moonachie, New Jersey, has been named the official concessionaire. Event production partners include ESP Event Productions and Mega Bite Events. New Jersey Youth Soccer will also be participating with on-site activations for kids and families.

The new participants were joined by original Flag Cities supporters including Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, and the Mayors of Rutherford, East Rutherford and Secaucus, and elected officials as well as representatives from Presenting Sponsor Goya, and other Flag Cities sponsors. See below for the full list of dignitaries below.

WHO:                

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka

Jersey City Mayor James Solomon

Bergen County Executive James Tedesco Hudson County Executive Craig Guy

Meadowlands Chamber President & CEO Jim Kirkos

Goya Foods – National Director of Public Relations Rafael Toro NJ TRANSIT – Vaughn Williams

Newark Alliance – CMO Ashely Mays

NJPAC – John Schreiber, Sherri-Ann Butterfield

Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson

Representatives from Allied Beverage, Diageo Brands

With major events taking place in Bergen, Hudson, and Essex Counties, Flag Cities will deliver the region’s most dynamic and professionally produced fan festivals in:

Friday, June 12 – Christopher Columbus Drive, Jersey City

Sunday, June 14 – Overpeck Park, Bergen County

Sunday, June 21 – Laurel Hill Park, Secaucus

Wednesday, June 24 – Mulberry Plaza, Newark

Friday, June 26 – The Rutherford’s: East Rutherford and Rutherford Downtown

Each Goya Presents Flag Cities event will feature:

Live broadcast of World Cup games on large-scale LED screens

Food trucks, international cuisine, and beverage vendors

Beer garden and VIP lounge

Live headline entertainment, DJs, and community performances

Kids’ zones with family-friendly activities

Shopping vendors, soccer gear, and local crafts

Soccer-themed games and immersive fan experiences

Embassy and cultural activations

Flag installations, town-wide decorations, and pep rallies

As Presenting Sponsor, Goya Foods continues its leadership role during a milestone year. In 2026, Goya celebrates its 90th anniversary as the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States.

Additional sponsors with special activations are in development and will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets will go on sale at the end of March.

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka emphasized the significance of the announcement:

“As New Jersey’s global gateway and its largest city, built by immigrants, we are ready to welcome the world and showcase our rich and varied cultural heritage,” said Mayor Ras J.

Baraka. “This partnership ensures that our residents, businesses, and visitors will experience the energy of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM – amplified by our vibrant neighborhoods and thriving downtown.”

Jersey City Mayor James Solomon stated:

“Jersey City has always been one of the most international and dynamic cities in the country, and Flag Cities is a natural fit for our community,” said Jersey City Mayor James Solomon. “Bringing this celebration to the heart of Jersey City will showcase our local businesses, vibrant neighborhoods, and the incredible diversity that defines our city as we join the world in celebrating the FIFA World Cup.”

Hudson County Executive Craig Guy added:

“Since day one, I’ve talked about making sure Hudson County is part of the excitement surrounding the 2026 World Cup, and we are proud to join the Flag Cities initiative to do exactly that,” said Hudson County Executive, Craig Guy. “With Secaucus and Jersey City participating, we are celebrating the diversity that defines our region and creating spaces for residents and visitors alike to come together and experience the excitement of the 2026 World Cup.”

Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III said:

“With the eyes of the world on our region as matches take place at MetLife Stadium, Bergen County is proud to host a Flag Cities event at Overpeck Park that will bring fans together

while showcasing our communities and local businesses,” said Bergen County Executive James Tedesco. “This initiative ensures that the energy and economic impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are felt across Northern New Jersey, not just inside the stadium.”

Jim Kirkos, President & CEO of the Meadowlands Chamber, noted:

“Flag Cities has quickly become the premier fan festival platform in Northern New Jersey.

With five confirmed locations, we are delivering a coordinated, high-impact regional celebration that amplifies tourism, economic activity, and community pride.”

Peter Unanue, Co-President of Goya Foods, said:

“As Goya celebrates its 90th anniversary, we are proud to expand our commitment to Flag Cities,” said Peter Unanue, Third Generation Executive at Goya Foods. “This series allows us to celebrate community, heritage, and the unifying power of food at an extraordinary moment for New Jersey.”

For sponsorship or vendor opportunities, please contact: Lisa Herrmann – LisaH@Axiominc.net

Ron Simoncini – RonS@Axiominc.net

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March 4, 2026 – Saddle Brook, NJ – Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, and the Ridgewood Public School District have joined forces to reduce food waste and feed those in need for Bergen County’s first district-wide food rescue relationship. As part of the collaboration, nourishing surplus meals and snacks from seven school cafeterias are collected from each of the schools by Pomptonian Food Service, the district’s food service company, rescued by local volunteers, and delivered to Ridgecrest Senior Apartments through Table to Table’s I-Rescue App. A total of 132 food rescues have been completed from October to the present, garnering more than 10,074 pounds of nutritious food.

“The impact that the Ridgewood School District is making for our neighbors in need as well as our planet is nothing short of amazing, and we are overjoyed to be joining forces,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “Nearly 3 billion pounds of food is wasted annually in New Jersey while almost 1.1 million people in our state, including 270,000 children, face hunger. Table to Table offers a solution that keeps good, nourishing food out of landfills, and ensures it reaches the dinner tables of families, senior citizens, and other folks facing food insecurity – and we are thankful that the Ridgewood Schools are joining us in our mission,” Thompson concludes.  

 “Our connection with Table to Table is a vital part of our commitment to a greener, more supportive Ridgewood,” said Dr. Mark Schwarz, Superintendent of Schools. “We are proud of this shared mission to eliminate food waste in our cafeterias and redirect those resources to those in need. It’s a powerful lesson for our students: when we work together, we can turn a logistical challenge into a community solution.”

“Members of our Home and School Associations, Green Teams, and Sustainability Committee are honored to join forces with Table to Table,” said Julie Yohana, Supervisor of Transportation & Operations. “This initiative, beginning with our cafeteria surplus, is designed to ignite a spark in the Ridgewood Public Schools community, driving us to discover new, creative ways to fight food insecurity.”

Learn how to volunteer in picking up surplus food from the Ridgewood Schools and delivering it to local pantries.

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 over 300 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 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane from impacting the environment.

About Ridgewood Public Schools

The Ridgewood Public School District is a premier K-12 public education system located in Bergen County, New Jersey, dedicated to providing a rigorous and supportive learning environment for its approximately 5,500 students. Consistently ranked among the top districts in the state and nation, Ridgewood is committed to academic excellence, innovative instruction, and the holistic development of every child. Through a diverse curriculum, robust extracurricular offerings, and a strong focus on social-emotional learning, the district empowers students to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. Ridgewood Public Schools prides itself on a culture of collaboration, involving dedicated educators, engaged parents, and a supportive community.

For more information, please visit www.rpsnj.us or follow the district on social media.

School district-wide food rescue effort already has delivered 10,000 pounds of food that otherwise would have gone to waste

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on binje.com. Click here for the story.

Here’s the challenging aspect of battling food insecurity: There are plenty of ways society can make a difference — and at little cost. It often just takes some out-of-the-box thinking to discover and implement them.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, is offering a blueprint on how to do just that.

Table to Table and the Ridgewood Public School District have joined forces to reduce food waste and feed those in need for Bergen County’s first district-wide food rescue relationship.

“The impact that the Ridgewood School District is making for our neighbors in need as well as our planet is nothing short of amazing,” said Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson.

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 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

The New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) has published the New Jersey Food Security Strategic Plan.

The three-year plan outlines how the OFSA plans to coordinate statewide efforts to address the growing problem of food insecurity in New Jersey through a coordinated, cross-sector approach.

NJ_FoodSecurity_3Yr_StrategicPlan_010726_FINAL

“This is not a plan that tells New Jersey what to do. Rather, this is a plan that invites all New Jerseyans to see their food security work and everyday connection to the food system through a more holistic lens that acknowledges food insecurity as a highly complex, socio-economic issue,” said Mark Dinglasan, Executive Director of the OFSA. “This is the beginning of a journey to build a better tomorrow for New Jersey families.”

The plan has several focus areas:

Focus Areas
  • The Context of Food Security in New Jersey: This focus enhances and improves the exchange of information and access to improve the public’s awareness of food insecurity, optimize relief programs, and support data-driven decision-making.
  • Planning and Evidence: This describes the guiding principles, data, and evidence that informed the plan and explores the Six Dimensions of Food Security in New Jersey.
  • Strategic Direction: Outlines the plans focus areas and strategies, which help form a roadmap for advancing food security throughout New Jersey.
  • Accountability and Action: Defines what success looks like for the strategic plan and invites partners to use the plan as a call to action to help coordinate efforts statewide.
  • Strengthening Food Systems to Enhance Long-Term Stability: Includes improving the food supply chain to reduce food waste and enhance food security stability and sustainability, including sustainable farming practices and positioning food security efforts in climate action work.

The OFSA will be releasing a Implementation Tactics and Action Planning Toolkit in early 2026. This will provide guidance and practical tools for organizations to implement relevant strategies in their communities.

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, surplus food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills. This rotting food emits methane gas, which contributes to climate change. We deliver this food to partner organizations who support the nearly 1.1 million people struggling with food insecurity in New Jersey.

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.

Related:

Organizers of the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy are doing what they can to recover 100% of surplus food served in the Olympic Village and distribute it to vulnerable people. They are dedicated to a “zero food waste” approach.

This approach includes recovering surplus food to fight hunger and promote environmental sustainability, in accordance with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Four Betters approach, which is part of the UN’s Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

Food waste mitigation efforts were supported when more than 270 local mayors signed the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact in 2015 along with other local initiatives designed to support combatting food waste in and near the cities hosting the games, a story on Olympics.com reported.

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, surplus food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills. This rotting food emits methane gas, which contributes to climate change. We deliver this food to partner organizations who support the nearly 1.1 million people struggling with food insecurity in New Jersey.

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.

Related:

When LaToya talks about her children, her face lights up with love and determination. Her son, Sterling, is 22 and living with sickle cell disease, autism, and epilepsy. Her daughter, Praise, is 12, full of energy and potential. Like any mother, LaToya wants the best for her children. But the challenges of caring for her son’s complex needs while keeping food on the table are overwhelming — especially because Sterling requires a highly nutritious diet to keep his health stable.

The nourishing food LaToya receives from Table to Table is more than just groceries. It’s a lifeline. It means she can provide her children with healthy meals she otherwise could not afford. It means she can take a breath in the middle of her hectic days, knowing she has what her family needs to get through the week.

“When we get food from Table to Table, we always get a lot of healthy vegetables & fruits. It means nourishment. It means health,” LaToya said.

Read more about what we’re doing to rescue healthy surplus food into sustenance and deliver it to our hungry neighbors.

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, surplus food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills. This rotting food emits methane gas, which contributes to climate change. We deliver this food to partner organizations who support the nearly 1.1 million people struggling with food insecurity in New Jersey.

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.

Related:

What foods are heart healthy? February is American Heart Month. It is a month dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

Table to Table takes pride in rescuing fresh, nutritious heart-healthy fruits and vegetables, including apples, broccoli, and carrots from our hundreds of food donors.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the following foods are a part of a heart-healthy eating plan:

  • Vegetables such as leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, kale, cabbage), broccoli, and carrots
  • Fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, pears, grapes, and prunes
  • Whole grains such as plain oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain bread or tortillas
  • Fat-free or low-fat dairy foods such as milk, cheese, or yogurt
  • Protein-rich foods:
  • Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, and trout)
  • Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey
  • Eggs
  • Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts
  • Seeds
  • Nut and seed butters
  • Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans
  • Oils and foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats:
  • Canola, corn, olive, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and soybean oils (not coconut or palm oil)
  • Salmon and trout
  • Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, or flax)
  • Avocados
  • Tofu

Read more about what we’re doing to rescue healthy surplus food and deliver it to our hungry neighbors.

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, surplus food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills. This rotting food emits methane gas, which contributes to climate change. We deliver this food to partner organizations who support the nearly 1.1 million people struggling with food insecurity in New Jersey.

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.

Related:

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.

What Is Food Insecurity?

There are two classifications of food insecurity, according to the USDA. One type is when there are “reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet,” but there is “little or no indication of reduced food intake.” The other, more serious type, is when there are “reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.”

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 1.1 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.

Related:

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.

TRENTON, NJ – The Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette today announced the winners of the 26th annual Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, New Jersey’s premier awards program that recognizes outstanding environmental achievements, programs and projects across the state. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Historic Masonic Temple in Trenton.

“On behalf of the Governor, DEP and the I-Bank are proud to honor all of this year’s awardees for their spirited dedication to protecting the environment we all share and the health of our communities,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Their passion and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all and exemplifies why New Jersey is a national leader in environmental protection.”

The annual awards are given to individuals, businesses, organizations and communities that make exceptional efforts to protect the environment and advance solutions across diverse environmental matters, including environmental justice, climate change, sustainability and education. Deputy Commissioner Kati Angarone and I-Bank Executive Director David Zimmer presented the awards.

Richard J. Sullivan Award

Named for New Jersey’s first Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Richard J. Sullivan Award is given to a person who demonstrates exceptional leadership and outstanding accomplishments in safeguarding public health and protecting and enhancing the state’s environment and resources.

This year’s Sullivan Award was given to Joseph Seebode, Deputy District Engineer for the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who has dedicated more than 35 years to advancing coastal resilience, environmental restoration and sustainable water management.

Seebode’s leadership helped guide post-Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts and other major projects such as the deepening of the Port of New York and New Jersey. A lifelong steward of waterways, Seebode exemplifies collaboration, innovation, and dedication to making the region safer, more resilient, and environmentally sound.

2025 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award Winners

James J. Florio Emerging Environmental Leader: Landon Hoberman

Landon Hoberman is the founder of the Student Environmental Ambassador (SEA) Program, a youth-led initiative empowering students to reduce plastic waste and promote civic engagement. Since 2023, SEA has reached more than 50,000 students with over 725 ambassadors across 14 states and three countries. Through initiatives like #reducebyrequest, SEA has prevented over 1.8 million single-use utensils from entering the environment, saved local restaurants more than $45,000, and inspired state legislation.

Climate Change Mitigation: Duke Farms

Duke Farms, a 2,700-acre center of the Doris Duke Foundation, is transforming its campus through its Natural Systems Energy Project to sharply reduce emissions and sequester carbon through reforestation and natural climate solutions. The project also includes a new solar energy system for powering the campus and aims to support an 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.

Climate Resilience: City of Newark Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation

The City of Newark Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation leads initiatives to enhance climate resilience, focusing on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. In the past year, the office expanded its “Beat the Heat” campaign and implemented urban cooling strategies including tree planting, pocket parks, and cool roof projects.

Environmental Justice: Montclair State University PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies

The Montclair State University PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies’ Green Teams Internship Program empowers diverse student teams to support communities facing disproportionate climate impacts. In 2025, ten teams partnered with nonprofits and municipalities—including Newark, Paterson, Montclair, and West Orange — to deliver projects that improved air and water quality, expanded tree canopies, strengthened food security, and advanced nature-based flood and heat resilience measures.

Healthy Communities: Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC)

ANJEC empowers New Jersey communities to protect natural resources and promote healthy, resilient environments. In the past year, ANJEC advanced this work through the restoration of the Parvin-Tarkiln Watershed in Vineland, adding tree pits, rain gardens, and riparian buffers that enhance local water quality and stormwater management.

Healthy Ecosystems and Habitats: Hunters Helping the Hungry

Hunters Helping the Hungry is a nonprofit organization that connects deer hunters, inspected processors, and food banks to provide venison to families in need. The organization supports responsible deer management that restores forest health, protects biodiversity, and strengthens food security. Recently, partnerships with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and New Jersey Farm Bureau eliminated processing fees and increased processor payments, boosting deer donations and meal distribution statewide.

Sustainability and Waste Reduction: Table to Table

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, delivers surplus fresh food to those in need. In the past year alone, the organization rescued more than 23 million pounds of food and expanded its data-driven network to reach the most food-insecure areas. Since its founding, Table to Table has prevented more than 240 million pounds of food waste and significantly reduced methane emissions.

Watershed Management and Water Resources: PolyGone Systems (in partnership with Atlantic County Utilities Authority)

PolyGone Systems, a Princeton University spinoff cleantech company, is pioneering technology to remove microplastics from waterways. In partnership with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, PolyGone launched the world’s first municipal-scale microplastic removal pilot in 2024 and successfully captured millions of microplastic particles from wastewater.

Environmental Education: Erin Colfax, Unity Charter School

Erin Colfax is a Science Integrationist at Unity Charter School in Morristown and brings sustainability to life through hands-on, inquiry-based science education for grades K–8. Colfax engages students in real-world projects like water quality monitoring and biodiversity studies and led a project to transform the school’s lower field into a living classroom that deepens environmental literacy and stewardship.

About the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards

The Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards has been New Jersey’s premier environmental awards program since 2000. The DEP, New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology sponsor the program.

A panel of judges evaluate nominations for their impact on the environment, actions to address the needs of New Jersey, leadership and innovation, and use of outreach and educational activities to make an impact in their community. To learn more about the program, visit dep.nj.gov/awards.

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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.

© 2026 TableToTable - All rights reserved. Table to Table is a 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID 22-3646125

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