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Chef David Burke, a longtime Table to Table supporter and trustee emeritus who served on our Board of Directors for many years, will be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame called Burke a “renowned restaurateur and culinary innovator” in its induction announcement. Burke said he was proud to be named an inductee.

“This is a really big deal for me,” Burke said in an announcement posted to his Instagram page. “As a proud Jersey boy, few things have ever pleased me more than this Hall of Fame honor. It’s humbling to be included amongst the incredible range of intellect, talent, and skills that are positioned New Jersey on the world’s stage as the source of an extraordinary degree of innovation.”

Table to Table honored Burke during our 2021 Chefs Gala for “more than 20 years of unwavering support that he so graciously has provided in helping us live out our mission to rescue fresh food and deliver it to organizations that feed our hungry neighbors.”

Burke is one of the best known and most respected chefs in modern American cuisine. He is a pioneer in American cooking and has been recognized internationally for his revolutionary techniques and for building a successful restaurant empire.

Burke will be inducted into the Hall of Fame’s Enterprise category. Other inductees into that category include: Lawrence R. Inserra Jr., chairman and CEO of Inserra Supermarkets Inc., another longtime Table to Table supporter, Frank Bisignanno, CEO and chairman of the board of Fiserv and the current commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration, Zygmunt “Zygi” Wilf, co-owner of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.

The 17 inductees will be honored at the 17th Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Nov. 21 at The Arena at American Dream in East Rutherford.

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 work with food businesses of all types to rescued 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. 

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The United States’ food system is broken. David Cutrona is doing his part to fix it.

Our June Volunteer Spotlight is showcasing Cutrona and his work as an I-Rescue App volunteer. He has been volunteering with us since January.

“I volunteer because our food system is broken,” Cutrona said. “Table to Table’s food rescue missions allow individuals to help tackle this large-scale problem.”

Volunteering Like David Cutrona Does

Cutrona rescues healthy, nutritious food from grocery stores, farmers markets, wholesalers, and other food service businesses and delivers it to churches, senior centers, daycares, and smaller nonprofits, who distribute it to the individuals they serve.

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!

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.

More students are working to end hunger and reduce food waste.

Students at Godwin and Highland Elementary schools in Midland Park were honored with the Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation Award for Student Philanthropy in support of our Bag Lunch, Help a Bunch initiative.

Bag a Lunch participants bring a bagged lunch to school for a day, a week, or more and donate what they would have spent on lunch to help us reduce food waste and help feed those who need it most.

“What an impressive team! The students of Godwin and Highland Elementary schools have stepped up as true community champions,” said Heather Thompson, executive director of Table to Table. “Thanks to their incredible support of Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch, we’ll be able to rescue food for more than 23,000 meals—reducing food waste and bringing nourishment to thousands of our New Jersey neighbors. Their leadership is a powerful reminder that the future is in great hands.”

Through the kindness of the foundation, a challenge grant of $30,000 among all Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch participating schools in Northern New Jersey was established. Of the dozens of schools that participated this school year, Godwin and Highland Elementary schools were the top fundraisers. The funds raised will rescue and deliver enough food for 23,000 healthy meals for those in need throughout Northern New Jersey. That number, along with funds raised by the other schools, was generously doubled by the Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation. 

Schools like yours can join us in our mission to reduce food waste and relieve hunger in New Jersey! We offer several school-focused programs, including:

Click here for more information about our school-based initiatives.

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 work with food businesses of all types to rescued 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. 

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Funds Raised Help Reduce Food Waste and Deliver Enough Food for More Than 23,000 Meals to Food Insecure Neighbors

Saddle Brook, NJ  June 20, 2025 — Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue organization, salutes the students at Godwin and Highland Elementary Schools in Midland Park, NJ with the 2024-2025 Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation Award for Student Philanthropy in support of Table to Table’s Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch initiative, which invites participants to bring a bagged lunch to school for a day, a week, or more, and donate what they would have spent on lunch to help Table to Table reduce food waste and feed those who need it most.   

“What an impressive team! The students of Godwin and Highland Elementary Schools have stepped up as true community champions,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table. “Thanks to their incredible support of Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch, we’ll be able to rescue food for more than 23,000 meals—reducing food waste and bringing nourishment to thousands of our New Jersey neighbors. Their leadership is a powerful reminder that the future is in great hands. We’re proud to honor them with the 2024-2025 Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation Award for Student Philanthropy,” Thompson concluded. 

Through the kindness of The Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation, a challenge grant of $30,000 among all Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch participating schools in Northern NJ was established. Of the dozens of schools that participated in the 2024-2025 school year, Godwin and Highland Elementary Schools were the top fundraisers. The funds raised will rescue and deliver enough food for 23,000 healthy meals for those in need throughout Northern NJ. That number, along with funds raised by the other schools, was generously doubled by the Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation. 

“On behalf of Godwin and Highland Elementary Schools, we are honored to be the recipient of the 2024-2025 Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation Award for Student Philanthropy in support of Table to Table’s Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch,” said Danielle Bache, Principal of Godwin Elementary School. “We always encourage our students to make a difference in their communities, so we were more than thrilled to hear that our efforts provided enough food for 23,000 meals. I am so proud of these students,” Bache concluded.   

Schools have been key partners in our efforts to end food waste and end hunger for more than 25 years, engaging the next generation of Food Rescue Heroes to take action. Our School Partnerships webpage outlines all the ways schools and students can get involved. Participating schools can make a big impact and can use these activities to earn points through the Sustainable Jersey Schools Certification Program. As an added bonus, our school partners will receive an exclusive Digital Educational Toolkit with grade-specific (Pre-K-8th Grade) lesson plans, activities and videos to help students learn about food waste and food donations.

Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch is made possible by generous sponsors including, Presenting Sponsor: Inserra Supermarkets; Gold Sponsors: Eisai USA Foundation, Kearny Bank, and Benjamin Moore; Silver Sponsors: BAE Systems, Cross River Bank, Hikma, Macy’s/Bloomingdales, Takasago, and The Children’s Place; Bronze Sponsors: DoorDash, Freedom Bank, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, and PNC Bank.

To help Table to Table in their mission to reduce food waste and address food insecurity in New Jersey, Donate Now! For more information on Table to Table, visit us at www.tabletotable.org. 

About Table to Table 

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 work with food businesses of all types to rescued 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. 

Contact: 

Maria Sinopoli, Director of Marketing Communications: msinopoli@tabletotable.org 

Every little bit counts.

Second-graders at Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia held a fresh produce drive for Table to Table recently. One by one students packed fresh apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, avocadoes, and other produce into boxes.

Slowly, the boxes filled up and by the end of the event, the students had donated hundreds of pounds of produce. Students also drew inspirational messages on the boxes urging people to donate more fruit and vegetables when they can.

A Table to Table volunteer brought the food to the Parent Teacher Association of the Fairmount School in Hackensack, where they distributed it.

It was the second time students at Anna C. Scott Elementary School hosted a produce drive for Table to Table.

Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently

Schools like yours can join us in our mission to reduce food waste and relieve hunger in New Jersey! We offer several school-focused programs, including:

Click here for more information about our school-based initiatives.

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 work with food businesses of all types to rescued 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. 

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Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Table to Table's Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Conley-Webb speaks to students at Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia. Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently
Students from Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia donated hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Table to Table recently

Editor’s note: This op-ed was co-authored by Heather Thompson, Table to Table executive director, Helen Lanctuit, CEO of Share My Meals and co-chair of the Meal Recovery Coalition, and Allie Wilson, director of Northeast operations, FoodRecovery.org. It first appeared on binje.com.

Every day in New Jersey, thousands of pounds of perfectly good food are thrown away—not just scraps, but perfectly edible items and full, untouched meals. At the same time, nearly 1 million residents struggle with food insecurity.

This isn’t just a moral failure — it’s a policy gap. And it’s one we have the power to close.

Recently, The Meal Recovery Coalition had the opportunity to testify before the New Jersey Assembly’s Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee, sharing what we know to be true: New Jersey has the potential to lead the nation in tackling food waste and hunger—not just through community programs, but through bold, bipartisan legislation.

We’ve built a coalition of corporate partners, food service providers, hospitals, universities, and community organizations to recover healthy, prepared meals and deliver them to those who need them most. Without intervention, this nourishing food—sourced from distributors and supermarkets, cafeterias, commercial kitchens, and catering services — will never reach a plate. Instead, they’re headed straight to a landfill.

With the support of state leaders, we can change that. Right now, several bills moving through the legislature would dramatically improve New Jersey’s food recovery infrastructure:

These are smart, cost-effective steps. Research shows that every $1 invested in meal recovery yields $14 in public benefit—from avoided greenhouse gas emissions to reduced landfill use and improved public health. This is climate policy, health policy, and hunger policy in one.

We’ve seen what’s possible: our organizations alone have already recovered and redistributed enough food for millions of meals. But we’re just scratching the surface. With the right policies and partnerships in place, we could recover tens of millions more.

New Jersey can’t afford to waste another meal. We have the partners. We have the model. Now we need the momentum. Let’s make food recovery the norm across our state.

To learn more about how you, your organization, or your business can support or participate in food recovery — from donating surplus meals to partnering with local nonprofits — click here.

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 from entering the environment.

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Photo Gallery

The Behind The Seams Fashion Show Benefitting Table to Table was Held at Bottagra Restaurant

Editor’s note: BC The Mag covered the Behind The Seams Fashion Show at Bottagra Wednesday. For more photos from the event, visit BC The Mag’s website.

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:

Pantry Announces Partnership with Table to Table to Expand Food Access and Reduce Food Local Waste

Editor’s note: This excerpt about Table to Table’s new partnership with the Montville Kiwanis Food Pantry originally appeared on Montville Patch. Click here to read the entire story.

The Montville Kiwanis Food Pantry celebrates 15 years of dedicated community service today, April 25th. Marking this significant milestone, the pantry proudly announces a new partnership with Table to Table, Northern New Jersey’s pioneering food rescue organization. This collaboration, launched yesterday will enhance the pantry’s ability to combat food insecurity by providing weekly deliveries of rescued food, starting with breakfast items and baked goods from local Wawa stores.

This partnership represents a major step in the pantry’s ongoing mission to meet the increasing needs of the community through sustainable and cost-effective solutions. As demand for food assistance grows, this initiative will allow the pantry to expand its offerings without increasing operational costs. In March 2025 alone, the pantry supported 413 individuals across 133 visits, including welcoming 7 newly registered households, underscoring the urgency for innovative food sourcing.

“Heading into our 15th year of service, it’s more important than ever that we deepen our impact,” said Danielle Mangione-Vasser, Co-Director of the Montville Kiwanis Food Pantry. “This partnership with Table to Table allows us to expand food access, reduce waste, and better support the hundreds of individuals who count on us—without increasing our operating costs.”

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 excerpt about Table to Table’s second Partners in Good Health Conference appeared on ROI-NJ’s website May 12. Click here for the complete story.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, successfully concluded its second annual Partners in Good Health Conference co-sponsored by Montclair State University’s Social Work and Child Advocacy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The conference is designed to connect, inform and empower the nonprofit’s partner pantries, social service agencies, shelters and other community partners who distribute the food delivered by Table to Table to communities in need throughout Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson and Morris counties.

The daylong event, which took place on the university’s campus, featured subject matter experts in the areas of nutrition, emotional resilience and “micro-habit” changes for better health. The afternoon capped off with a town hall discussion led by New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) team members Mark Dinglasan, Dan Dychtwald, Ph.D., MPH, MS and Jemmell’z Washington-Rock, as well New Jersey Assemblywoman Shama D. Haider, who serves as chairwoman for the Assembly Committee on Children, Families, and Food Security.

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 excerpt about Veer Agarwal and his food rescue club ResQFood, originally appeared on News 12 NJ’s Jersey Proud segment. Click here for their story.

News 12 New Jersey highlighted Veer Agarwal on their Jersey Proud segment Thursday. Agarwal is the founder of ResQFood, a food rescue club at Livingston High School, and a Table to Table Food Rescue Hero. We’ve helped Veer and his team of 30 volunteers perform more than 200 rescues of nutritious food in and around Livingston by coordinating the pick-ups and drop-offs.

“I am a proud volunteer of Table to Table because of what this organization and cause stands for. Every person in New Jersey should have secure access to healthy meals, but the reality is that 1 million people are food insecure and 3 billion pounds of food gets thrown out annually,” Agarwal previously said. “When picking up surplus food from restaurants and donating to local food pantries, I feel satisfied knowing that some family out there is benefitting from my efforts.”

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.

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