Food Rescue, Table to Table, Hosted Its Inaugural Partners in Good Health Conference, Uniting its Community Partners for Professional Development Centered on Nutrition, Health, and Well-Being
Mark Dinglasan of the NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate Keynoted the Conference
May 23, 2024 – Saddle Brook, NJ – Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue, hosted its first-ever Partners in Good Health Conference at the Lodi campus of Felician University.
The food rescue nonprofit, which celebrates its 25th anniversary, welcomed community partners from across northern New Jersey for a day of networking and learning, featuring subject matter experts from top health organizations along with community leaders, imparting critical insights about nutrition, health, and well-being. Mark Dinglasan, Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, provided the keynote address. For information, click here.
“Creating Table to Table’s Partners in Good Health Conference – an opportunity to bring our community partners together in one space – has long been a dream of ours, and it’s fitting that it took place in our 25th anniversary year,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “The event has allowed us to learn from local experts, and from each other, as we explore the critical connection between food and health. By sharing best practices across our network, we can strengthen our support system to create better health for our neighbors,” Thompson concluded.
Topics featured during the Conference included: County Support & Services, Heart & Mind Wellness, and Innovative Programs, featuring a cross-county panel. Speakers represented such notable organizations such as the American Heart Association, Diabetes Foundation, the United Way of Greater Newark, and the Bergen County Office of Food Security. A complete list can be found here.
“I applaud Table to Table for holding its first-ever Partners in Good Health Conference. Multi-sector partnerships that focus on combatting hunger as a public health and economic mobility issue are crucial to food security work,” said Mark Dinglasan, Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate. “This event showcases not only Table to Table’s ability to participate in such partnerships, but also to build, nurture and sustain them. I look forward to continuing to support and witness the organization’s growth and evolution under Heather Thompson,” Dinglasan concluded.
Sponsors for Table to Table’s Partners in Good Health Conference included: Felician University, Horizon, Dorfman Abrams Music Accountants & Advisors, ShopRite Inserra Supermarkets Inc., Jersey Mike’s (Bloomfield & West Orange), and Premium Digital Office Solutions.
For 25 years, Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue, has bridged the gap for local neighbors in need by reducing food waste, sustaining those who are struggling, and contributing to their better health outcomes. We recognize the vital role that fresh food plays in nourishing not only the body, but also the spirit and mind.
What began in 1999 with one food rescue in a donated van, has flourished to become an efficient and impactful operation and a force for change that—to date—has resulted in the rescue and delivery of enough food for over 311 million healthy meals throughout northern New Jersey. To mark this milestone, the nonprofit has set a goal of rescuing/delivering enough fresh food for 25 million meals this year, via its fleet of 6 trucks and volunteer-based app, Table to Table I-Rescue. Visit Table to Table’s “Drive for 25” for 25 fun, easy and actionable ways to celebrate and drive impact!
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), NJ’s first food rescue organization, collects fresh and perishable food which would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations that serve people experiencing hunger in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties in Northern NJ. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 200+ partner organizations including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, we touch 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. Table to Table raises all its own funds annually, and last year delivered enough food to provide over 23 million meals.
Photo caption: Mark Dinglasan and Heather Thompson
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