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Tag: what NJ nonprofits accept surplus food?

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

Affinity Federal Credit Union marked its fourth annual Impact Day by partnering with Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, to provide nearly 5,000 meals to local families in need.

The major volunteer effort saw over 370 Affinity employees participate at the credit union’s headquarters in Basking Ridge on Oct. 14 (Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day), when branches were closed. Employees from across Affinity’s tri-state footprint—from New Jersey to Connecticut—assembled meals, including sandwiches, snacks, and water, and included words of inspiration for recipients.

The prepared meals were distributed to 16 community nonprofits across the northern half of New Jersey that work directly with individuals and families facing hunger.

News 12 New Jersey ran a story about food prices rising faster than inflation, an estimated 30% since the COVID pandemic. Our Executive Director Heather Thompson spoke with News12 about individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and the choices they’re making regarding what food to purchase.

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 food prices rising faster than inflation, an estimated 30% since the COVID pandemic. Our Executive Director Heather Thompson spoke with News12 about individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and the choices they’re making regarding what food to purchase.

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:

Over 370 staff members partnered with New Jersey food rescue program to support local hunger relief efforts

Basking Ridge, NJ – Affinity Federal Credit Union (“Affinity”) hosted its fourth annual Impact Day by partnering Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, to provide nearly 5,000 meals to local families in need. Over 370 Affinity employees took part in the event at the credit union’s headquarters in Basking Ridge on Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day, October 14, when branches were closed. Employees made meals including sandwiches, snacks, water and wrote words of inspiration for recipients. The meals were distributed to 16 community non-profits across the northern half of New Jersey that work directly with individuals and families in need.

“This collective effort by Affinity’s employees across our footprint, from Lawrenceville, New Jersey to New Haven, Connecticut and everywhere in between hits at the core of our mission of people helping people,” said Kevin Brauer, CEO and President of Affinity Federal Credit Union. “The feeling of giving back to our communities is like no other. I’m proud of our work to tackle food insecurity and support some of those most impacted.”

The event marked the largest single-day volunteer initiative in the history of Table to Table, which has partnered with community service groups across North Jersey since its inception in 1999. Table to Table collects fresh, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste from farms, distributors, stores, restaurants and more, and delivers it for free directly to organizations that feed the hungry.

“We are incredibly overjoyed by the collaboration, enthusiasm, and commitment of Affinity’s volunteers to give back to our communities in need,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table. “This effort not only provides nourishment to thousands of struggling neighbors, but also it provides hope. We are grateful to Affinity for making an event of this scale a successful reality.”

“This year’s Impact Day demonstrates how powerful we can be when we work together toward a shared goal,” said Kelly Watts, Executive Director of the Affinity Foundation. “By partnering with Table to Table, our team made a tangible difference for thousands of our neighbors, reinforcing our belief that financial wellbeing begins with basic security and support.”

About Affinity Federal Credit Union

Affinity Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution, member-owned and community-focused, with a mission to nurture your financial wellbeing. With 20 branches across the tri-state area, Affinity is the largest credit union headquartered in the state of New Jersey, proudly ranking in the top 2% of all credit unions in terms of asset size1. The Affinity difference is about people helping people on a deeper level and understanding what YOU need to make your unique dreams a reality. For more information, please visit www.affinityfcu.com.

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.

Click here to view a gallery of photos from the event.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Bergen magazine.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, concluded its second annual Partners in Good Health Conference earlier this year. The conference connects the nonprofit’s partner pantries, shelters, and other community partners, which distribute food donations to communities 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 from entering the environment.

Related:

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

Table to Table, New Jersey’s largest food rescue organization, is set to host its annual Chefs Gala on Oct. 9, at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale. This year’s event will honor popular Italian American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and author Christian Petroni.

The gala will feature more than 25 chefs who will personally serve multi-course meals to guests at their tables, offering a unique and intimate dining experience. The event serves as a fundraiser to support Table to Table’s mission of rescuing food, reducing waste, and combating hunger in local communities.

“We are delighted to welcome Christian Petroni as our Honoree at this year’s Chefs Gala,” Heather Thompson, executive director of Table to Table said. “Not only is Chris’ passion for food, family, and community infectious; he is also strongly aligned with Table to Table’s food rescue mission and has a deep commitment to nourishing 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:

Personal, Multi-Course Dining Extravaganza, Featuring 25+ Notable Chefs, Takes Over  Edgewood Country Club on October 9th

September 4, 2025 – Saddle Brook, NJ – On Wednesday, October 9th, Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, will welcome to its Chefs Gala more than 25 notable chefs who will personally serve their signature multi-course menus tableside for guests. Shining in the spotlight will be this year’s honoree, Christian Petroni, the charismatic Italian American chef, restaurateur, and author. Table to Table’s Chefs Gala will be held at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, NJ on October 9th at 5:30 p.m. Seats are limited, so reserve your table today!

This Chefs Gala offers a unique personal dining experience in the setting of an elegant Gala with unforgettable cuisine, impeccable wine pairings, an exciting live auction, and so much more—all in support of Table to Table’s mission to rescue food, reduce food waste, and relieve hunger in our communities. 

“We are delighted to welcome Christian Petroni as our Honoree at this year’s Chefs Gala,” said Heather Thompson, executive director, Table to Table. “Not only is Chris’ passion for food, family, and community infectious; he is also strongly aligned with Table to Table’s food rescue mission and has a deep commitment to nourishing our neighbors in need,” Thompson concluded.

Table to Table is honoring Chef Christian Petroni at our 2025 Chefs Gala

Chef Honoree Christian Petroni

From the age of six, all Christian ever wanted to do was to become a chef. Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, he spent his early years in the kitchen under the tutelage of Andy Pforzheimer and the Barteca Group until opening his own wood-fire Italian restaurant, Fortina. He opened five more successful restaurants in just eight years, becoming one of New York’s authorities on Italian cuisine and the art of red sauce. Christian hit the national stage, winning Next Food Network Star season 14 and became an instant fan favorite through his charm and infectious positivity. He became a recurring guest judge on Food Network shows that include: Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, Guy’s Grocery Games, Diners Drive Ins, and Dives, and Tournament of Champions. Christian founded Gabagool Media, a multi-media and consulting company specializing in content creation, apparel, and providing guidance for chefs and small businesses worldwide. Christian’s first cookbook, Parm to Table, hits shelves Sept. 23, 2025. At his core, Christian loves to connect with people through food and lives to make them feel like family.

Co-Chairpersons Chefs Jamie Knott and Ryan DePersio

Chef Jamie Knott is owner of Saddle River Inn, Saddle River Cafe, Cellar 335, and Madame. He is also a Table to Table Trustee. Chef Ryan De Persio is the Chef/Partner of Battello, Kitchen Step, Ember & Eagle, and TillingHouse. Both are long-time supporters of Table to Table’s food rescue mission.

2025 Chef Gala Participants

John Michael Beam – Aficionado Coffee Roasters

Brandon Campney – Sterling Tavern

AJ Capella – Summit House

Bianca Concepcion and Jeff Galan – Fossil Farms

Michael Cosenza – Mike’s Pasta Shoppe

Mary Cumella and Logan Ramirez – Gioia Mia

Ryan DePersio – Battello, Kitchen Step, Ember & Eagle, and TillingHouse

David Felton – Morris Proper

Leia Gaccione – The Saint Clair

Felix Gonzalez – Viaggio Ristorante

Melany Gonzalez – Saddle River Inn

Alex Gorant – Axia Taverna

Bryan Gregg – Blue Morel

Dan Lipow – Foraged Feast

Lulu’s Truck

Christina Marcelli – Marcelli Formaggi

Off The Hook Seafood

Sal Pisani – Jersey Artisan Co.

Tim Quinlan – Ava’s Kitchen

Andrew Riccatelli – Bacarosa

Dean Schreefer – Echo Lake Country Club

Robert Sigona – Gelotti

Tom Silvestri – Ora

Melissa Stanard – The Goods

Lawrence Talis – The Committed Pig

Joe Tartamella – Canoe Brook Country Club

Geoff Taylor – The 130 Club

Christina Vene – Cakes of Wrath

Wine pairings provided by Chuck Russo’s Wine and Spirit World

Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries

Frankie Medina – JCR Hospitality, Battello, Kitchen Step, Ember & Eagle, and Tillinghouse

Dirty Pelican

Don Julio

Ghost Hawk Brewery

Sangri

Silk City Distillers

Tito’s

Wilson Daniels Wines

At this year’s Chefs Gala, Table to Table will proudly welcome five new members to its Founder’s Table: Edgar Brieva, James P. Bush, Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, Jamie Milkman, and Gerard Woods.

The Founder’s Table was established in 2023 by Table to Table’s Founder Claire Insalata Poulos to recognize individuals, companies, and foundations that have provided extraordinary support to the nonprofit over its 26-year history.

Sponsors for this year’s Table to Table’s Chefs Gala include: American Express (Presenting); Crestron (Grand); Arca Restaurant and Lounge, David and Kathleen Hildes, Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets, and Summit Associates (Platinum); Restoration Technologies Inc. (Gold); Takasago and Tito’s Homemade Vodka (Silver); Charles Schwab (Bronze) and The YMCA Meadowlands (Bronze).

To help Table to Table in their mission to reduce food waste and address food insecurity in New Jersey, you can make a donation today – every dollar you contribute provides resources for the organization to rescue and deliver food for 10 healthy meals. For more information on Table to Table, visit www.tabletotable.org.

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.

Press Contact:

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

Table to Table, a North Jersey food rescue nonprofit, will hold its annual Chefs Gala on Oct. 9. Find out which of the state’s best chefs are coming.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared on NorthJersey.com. Click here to read the entire article.

More than 25 of New Jersey’s best chefs are slated to cook multi-course dinners tableside at the annual Table to Table Chefs Gala on Oct. 9, 2025.

The gala is a fundraiser for Table to Table, North Jersey’s largest food rescue organization, and features chefs cooking for and chatting with small groups during the dinner, with wine pairings included. Participating chefs include Leia Gaccione (The Saint Clair), AJ Capella (Summit House), Melany Gonzalez (Saddle River Inn), Andrew Riccatelli (Bacarosa) and others.

“The event is unique and different, it’s not a typical charity event,” said Ryan DePersio, chef/partner of Battello and co-chair of the Chefs Gala. “It’s almost 300 something people that we’re cooking for but 20 people each are getting their own chef. … And it’s cool, like, ‘I’m eating at these restaurants tonight at the gala.'”

The gala will feature an opening cocktail hour and meet-and-greet with the chefs before guess are ushered to the dining room for dinner service. It’s a unique format that Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson said offers access to chefs that isn’t typically available otherwise.

“It’s not easy to get tables at these chefs’ restaurants,” she said. “And when you do, you’re not going to have that experience of a chef right next to you watching them work their magic.”

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.

Related:

Editor’s note: This article first appeared on binje.com.

We asked for nominations of nonprofits we could honor on National Nonprofit Day, saying we would publish the best 25 in an effort to give them some attention —and, perhaps, some much-needed donations. 

We were blown away by the response. Because so, we will honor 50 nonprofits to mark the day.  

Please note, National Nonprofit Day was Sunday – but since we don’t publish on the weekends, we’re waiting for today. 

Location: Saddle Brook
Description: More than 3 billion pounds of food are wasted annually in New Jersey while 1.1 million residents face food insecurity. Table to Table bridges that gap by rescuing surplus, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste, and delivering it for free to our hungry neighbors. Since 1999, enough fresh food for more than 241 million meals has been delivered.
Leader: Heather Thompson 

Website: http://www.tabletotable.org 

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.

Related:


Editor’s note: The above screenshot of photos first appeared in 201 Magazine’s August 2025 issue.

201 Magazine ran a piece in their “be social” section about the 10th Annual Table to Table Golf Classic June 9 at Preakness Hills Country Club. Hundreds of golf enthusiasts, supporters and friends turned out for Table to Table’s 10th Anniversary Golf Classic. They gathered for a relaxing day on the green, delicious food, fun contests and more, all to help advance the nonprofit organization’s mission of reducing food waste and feeding neighbors in need throughout Northern New Jersey. Thanks to their generous support, Table to Table will rescue and deliver enough fresh food for more than 1.8 million nourishing meals.

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.

Related:

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Vicinity Magazine.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, and ArcMorris, a nonprofit that uplifts and empowers individuals with disabilities, are partnering in volunteerism. Through this collaboration, individuals with disabilities use the award-winning Table to Table I-Rescue App to pick up fresh, surplus food that would otherwise be wasted and deliver it to local community partners supporting people facing food insecurity.

“People with disabilities have so much to contribute to our communities. Volunteering with organizations like Table to Table is only one way we are proving that each day,” said Sal Moran, executive director, ArcMorris.

In just a few short months, ArcMorris clients have rescued more than 2,600 pounds of nutritious food from local businesses such as ShopRite (Chester), Whole Foods (Morristown), and Wawa (Parsippany) and delivered it to nearby food pantries, churches, and community centers—benefitting hundreds of 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 meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane from entering the environment.

Related:

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