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Tag: volunteering

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A new work requirement went into effect Sunday for recipients to receive benefits from the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The requirement is for recipients between 18 and 65 years old. Click here to learn more.

If You Or Someone You Know Needs Help Finding Food

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:

Table to Table was featured by The Hoboken Girl as one of the places to volunteer in Bergen County this winter.

Editor’s note: The Hoboken Girl included Table to Table in a social media post/list about Where to Volunteer This Winter in Bergen County.

Giving back is always in season, but on MLK Day it’s important to reflect [on] how we are serving our communities.

From food pantries and animal shelters to arts programs and environmental, these local NJ organizations to volunteer at this winter.

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:

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.

Table to Table's annual Chefs Gala was Oct. 9 at Edgewood Country Club. Chef Christian Petroni was the chef honoree.

Editor’s note: The following aggregated article first appeared in an article and photo gallery on NorthJersey.com. Click here to view the article and click here to view the photo gallery.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, welcomed to its 2025 Chefs Gala more than 25 notable chefs who personally served their signature multi-course menus tableside for guests.

Shining in the spotlight was this year’s honoree, Christian Petroni, the Italian American chef, restauratuer, author and Food Network star. Table to Table’s Chefs Gala raised enough funds to reduce food waste and deliver nearly 5 million nutritious meals to our neighbors in need.

The event was held at the Edgewood Country Club in River Vale on October 9, 2025.

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:

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.

School Food Waste Expert and Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson

Editor’s note: The following experts first appeared in an article by The Montclair Girl. Read the full article here.

And just like that, 2025 comes to a close. This year was filled with an influx of exciting new businesses in the area and innovative entrepreneurs and creatives shining a light on the community. To mark the end of an eventful year and to welcome the new one, The Montclair Girl is highlighting 26 local women doing great things to keep an eye on in 2026. Read on for a list of 26 women in Montclair + North Jersey to watch in 2025.

Heather Thompson, Director, Table to Table

Heather Thompson is the director of Table to Table, New Jersey’s statewide food rescue program. The program collects fresh, nutritious, perishable food and connects it with neighbors in need through its 303 community partners in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic counties.

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:

Deacon Stephanie Taylor-Cucuta co-founded the Disabled Combat Veterans Youth Program.

Table to Table Food Rescue Hero Stephanie Taylor-Cucuta was named a Hometown Hero by Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District Monday. Stephanie co-founded the Disabled Combat Veterans Youth Program, which helps provide veterans and families access to healthy food. She helps run a weekly food distribution with Table to Table in Englewood Cliffs.

“Deacon Stephanie Taylor-Cucuta is a leader whose life is defined by faith, service, and compassion. She co-founded the Disabled Combat Veterans Youth Program, providing mentorship, food access, and support to families and veterans in need,” Rep. Gottheimer’s office said in a news release. “Through programs that empower young women and girls, she creates spaces where youth feel seen and supported. Recently ordained, she continues offering pastoral care and crisis support across North Jersey. Her work has fed thousands and strengthened countless families.”

Congratulations, Stephanie!

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:

Table to Table's annual Chefs Gala was Oct. 9 at Edgewood Country Club. Chef Christian Petroni was the chef honoree.

Editor’s note: The following article first appeared in (201) MAGAZINE’s December 2025 issue on page 47.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, welcomed to its 2025 Chefs Gala more than 25 notable chefs who personally served their signature multi-course menus tableside for guests.

Shining in the spotlight was this year’s honoree, Christian Petroni, the Italian American chef, restaurateur, author and Food Network star. Table to Table’s Chefs Gala raised enough funds to reduce food waste and deliver nearly 5 million nutritious meals to our neighbors in need.

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: Food journalist, podcaster, and chef Cara Di Falco interviewed Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson. It debuted Dec. 2 on Cara’s YouTube channel.

Cara Di Falco interviewed Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson about SNAP benefits, Table to Table’s charity work, how people can make a difference and volunteer, and how individuals and families can find community support if they need assistance.

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 aired on News 12 New Jersey. Click here for the story.

News 12 New Jersey ran a story about our food rescue partnership with the Bloomfield School District.

News 12 rode along with our Executive Director Heather Thompson as she rescued food from Watsessing Elementary School and brought it to a local food pantry.

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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