Three million meals is an impressive number, and in Newark, it represents something even greater: trust, consistency, and a network of partners who refuse to let fresh food go to waste.
Since joining the Meals with Meaning program at its launch, Table to Table has played a crucial behind-the-scenes role, connecting surplus food from across the region to neighbors who need it most.
To understand what it takes to move that much nourishment through a city each week, especially during a year marked by SNAP disruptions and record demand, we sat down with their team for a look inside the work, the wins, and the challenges ahead.
A member of the Newark Police Department assists with loading HelloFresh boxes for local families.
HelloFresh: Table to Table has been part of Newark’s Meals with Meaning program since it began in 2020. How has the partnership evolved over the past few years?
Table to Table: This has been an incredible partnership that continues to grow and evolve each year. Working with HelloFresh has helped us transform our operations – we’ve become more efficient and more streamlined as we have worked with this incredible company to quickly and safely transport large volumes of food to community distribution sites. The program has deepened our relationship with the City of Newark as well. The Mayor and Council know we are there for the city and its residents, and we have been able to partner on other initiatives for the benefit of our neighbors over the last few years.
HF: Reaching the milestone of 3 million meals in Newark is remarkable. What does this moment mean to your organization and the communities you serve?
TT: The 3 million meals milestone is such an exciting moment in our continuing partnership with HelloFresh and the City of Newark! Celebrating this milestone on Thanksgiving this year was really beautiful, but I love that this is not something that happens once a year – this is an ongoing commitment that brings healthy food to our Newark neighbors every single week. And it’s an incredible collaborative effort – it takes many hands and many hearts to make this happen all year round.
HF: Can you walk us through the role Table to Table plays in making these large-scale distributions possible? What does a typical distribution day look like for your team?
TT: Our drivers are out every single weekday, often starting at 4am or earlier, in our fleet of refrigerated trucks, making the rounds to partners like HelloFresh, multiple supermarkets, distributors, importers, farms – you name it. There is surplus food all along the supply chain, and as a food rescue organization, our role is to pick up that food while it is still fresh, and get it out to our network of community partners as quickly as possible so it ends up on our neighbors’ dinner tables instead of in landfills. At the same time, we have volunteers out 7 days a week, using our I-Rescue App to pick up and deliver smaller donations.
HF: This year saw an increased need due to SNAP disruptions. How has that shift shown up in your work and in the communities you serve?
TT: The disruption in SNAP benefits during the government shutdown created an unprecedented strain on the emergency food system all across the country. Pantries and other front-line organizations that are typically the last line of defense – there to provide some extras to help people make ends meet – were suddenly the first line of defense. Over 800,000 people here in New Jersey receive SNAP benefits – working parents with children, seniors living on fixed incomes, veterans, and government employees. When these folks were suddenly left without the funds they rely on to grocery shop, they had nowhere else to turn other than local pantries. The lines at many of our pantry partners were triple what they usually are. So as a result, we were getting dozens of calls a week asking for help, asking for more food. We did everything we could to step up; our drivers worked overtime, and volunteers stepped up in a huge way to run rescues using our App.
HelloFresh and Table to Table partner with the City of Newark to support the annual turkey giveaway.
HF: What are some of the biggest challenges Newark residents are facing when it comes to consistent access to fresh, nourishing food?
TT: Newark is an incredible city, but it certainly has its challenges. Nearly 1 in 4 Newark residents live below the poverty line, and in total, 70% of our Newark neighbors are considered “ALICE” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) according to the United Way’s data, meaning they do not have enough income to cover the cost of living. And since fresh, healthy foods tend to be more expensive at the grocery store, folks who are facing financial constraints often have to choose between their health and well-being and their other bills and financial obligations. Many Newark residents also live in food deserts, making it difficult for them to access fresh produce and other fresh foods on a regular basis.
HF: What makes the Meals with Meaning program meaningful or unique from your standpoint as a food rescue partner?
TT: This program represents the very best that can happen when multiple partners come together for a shared purpose. As a food rescue nonprofit, Table to Table’s mission is only possible when we have deep commitment from our partners on both sides of the equation – the food businesses who go above and beyond to nourish their communities, and the partners who ensure that folks in need can access and receive the fresh food. With HelloFresh, Table to Table, and the City of Newark all coming together on this initiative, we are able to magnify our impact for our neighbors. And we’re so proud that this partnership in Newark helped to kickstart this program across the country.
HelloFresh boxes ready for distribution to Newark families.
HF: As you look ahead, what gives you hope, and how can people who read this support Table to Table’s work moving forward?
TT: It has been a difficult year for a lot of folks, but all of us at Table to Table are so heartened by the way our partners, volunteers, and supporters continue to show up. We’re proud to be part of a strong and growing community in New Jersey that is so committed to feeding people, with no judgment, that believes that access to good food is a right, not a privilege. And recognizing that there is so much nourishing food that does go to waste, there is, in fact, enough food to feed everyone. And every single person can play a role in bridging that gap. We are always looking for new food donor partners – food businesses of any size and any type can work with us to donate surplus, whether it’s every day, every week, or every once in a while. And if you’ve got a car and a little time to spare, download our I-Rescue App and become a Food Rescue Hero – it’s incredibly easy, and you can immediately see the difference you’re making!
Table to Table’s commitment to Newark is evident in the way they show up day after day to keep fresh food moving into the community. We’re grateful to have a partner so deeply aligned with the Meals with Meaning mission and so dedicated to meeting local needs as they shift and grow.
Learn more at tabletotable.org, and check out additional partner spotlights and community stories below.
