back-to-top
x
close

Tag: World Cup

Editor’s note: Feeding Hope: The “Ride to Independence” podcast interviewed Table to Table’s Executive Director Heather Thompson, who spoke about our mission and our Kick Hunger Out of NJ Tour during the FIFA World Cup.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue organization, is feeding hope. It has been combating food waste and hunger since 1999.

Executive Director Heather Thompson shares how the organization collects fresh food from local businesses and events, like the FIFA World Cup, to feed the community. Their Kick Hunger out of New Jersey tour shows how large events can contribute to food security by rescuing surplus food. By collaborating with a wide network of pantries and shelters, Table to Table ensures that delicious, nutritious meals reach those in need without delay, proving that the solution lies in better distribution rather than more food production.

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 276 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:

‘We couldn’t do it without Table to Table’s help.’

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on CBS New York.

A New Jersey charity is on a mission to make sure nothing goes to waste at 2026 Men’s World Cup Watch Parties in the state. 

Table to Table, a Saddle Brook-based nonprofit, launched an initiative to save leftover food from FIFA watch parties and get it to those who need it most all over northern and central Jersey. 

As soccer fan fever spreads across the Garden State, so do the crowds and the food. But what’s left behind doesn’t have to go to waste. 

The Kick Hunger out of New Jersey Tour is part of the call to rescue surplus meals from World Cup watch parties at restaurants and event spaces, food trucks, and fan festivals.

“We’re packing up food for hundreds of meals that’s already cooked, already prepared, ready to eat. And that is such a gift to our communities,” said Heather Thompson, with Table to Table. 

Restaurants, venues and watch party event organizers can donate surplus food if it’s been prepared in commercial kitchens, Table to Table says.   

During the 39-day tournament, the charity’s tour van is traveling around the state as crews work in real-time to pack up meals within hours and get them out to local partners. 

Food sent to Parkside Community Church in Westwood quickly goes to families who rely on fresh options. 

“The clients that we have, who come here regularly, this is their grocery shopping for the week. They can’t afford to buy food on their own,” said Lisa Bontemps, with the church. 

A Win for All

Table to Table’s initiative is a win on two fronts: cutting down food waste and helping tackle hunger across North Jersey. 

“We realized that there was a real opportunity to get even more of that food out into our community and make sure that those celebrations benefited as many people as possible,” said Thompson. 

“This is critical for them. We couldn’t do it without Table to Table’s help,” said Bontemps.

With dozens of World Cup events still ahead, organizers said they’re just getting started.

The tournament’s championship match will be on July 19 at MetLife Stadium 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 bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 276 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:

Saddle Brook-based nonprofit is collecting surplus food at World Cup festivals, such as Flag Cities

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on binje.com. Click here to read the entire article.

If you’re planning an event to celebrate the World Cup, make sure you have plenty of food. And if you have plenty of food left over, make sure you remember Table to Table, North Jersey’s leading food-rescue network.

Based in Saddle Brook, Table to Table turns surplus meals into immediate help for hungry neighbors. That’s the basis of its Kick Hunger Out of New Jersey Tour.

The Table to Table Tour Van has been on the road throughout the World Cup, rescuing surplus food from the Goya Presents Flag Cities fan festivals, as well as local parties and special events, and delivering directly to our neighbors in need.

Jim Kirkos, Chief Executive Officer of the Meadowlands Chamber and one of the creators of the Flag Cities festivals, said his group is eager to support the fine work Table to Table does.

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 276 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:

Fighting hunger while reducing food waste is the mission Table to Table, a nonprofit making a meaningful impact across New Jersey communities. This summer, Table to Table is expanding its reach through a new partnership with Goya Presents Flag Cities. Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table, spoke about the organization’s mission and this partnership on ONNJ’s “Mornings with Ken Rosato.”

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 276 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 meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane.

Related:

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

###

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

Privacy Policy