1. What is food rescue?
   
   
2. How long has Table to Table been doing this work?
   
   
3. Where does the food go?
   
   
4. What makes Table to Table different from a food bank?
   
   
5. Who donates the food?
   
   
6. If it is good food, why isn’t it consumed?
   
   
7. Aren’t there liability issues in donating food?
   
   
8. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to give food directly to the pantry or shelter than to Table to Table?
   
   
9. None of my neighbors seem hungry; is this really needed?

What is food rescue?

• A food rescue program picks up excess prepared and perishable food from food establishments and professional kitchens and redistributes it to others who can utilize it.

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How long has Table to Table been doing this work?

• In 2007, Table to Table began its ninth year of battling hunger in our community.

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Where does the food go?

• It is brought to a wide variety of not-for-profit agencies in Bergen, Essex, Passaic and Hudson counties that are feeding people who are hungry.
• Food is transported in our refrigerated vehicles to food pantries, shelters, day care centers, agencies for victims of domestic violence, senior adult centers, soup kitchens, substance abuse rehabilitation programs, churches and agencies that help support the working poor, medical day care centers and other not-for-profit agencies that feed people.

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What makes Table to Table different from a food bank?

• Table to Table redistributes only fresh and perishable foods, which it delivers on the day it is received. Food banks collect, warehouse and distribute canned and non-perishable foods Table to Table never charges a fee to the recipient agencies for the food they deliver.

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Who donates the food?

• Food is donated by local restaurants, caterers, supermarkets, corporate kitchens, food distributors, farms and any establishment with a commercial kitchen.

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If it is good food, why isn't it consumed?

• For a variety of reasons, not all food that is purchased or prepared is consumed. Overbuying, incorrect anticipation of consumer choices, even weather conditions affect the inventory that a food establishment is left with. In almost every facet of the food industry, there are overages that are edible, nutritious and being wasted.

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Aren't there liability issues in donating food?

• Both the federal government and State of New Jersey have enacted laws to protect food donors. The Federal Children's Nutrition Assistance Act and the NJ Good Samaritan Act provide immunity from liability to those who donate food.

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Wouldn't it be more efficient to give food directly to the pantry or shelter than to Table to Table?

• Because we deliver to more than 40 agencies, serving more than 8,000 people each week, more diverse and greater numbers of people can be helped. Additionally, smaller agencies with few resources have an equal opportunity to share in the fresh food we deliver.

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None of my neighbors seem hungry; is this really needed?

• In Bergen County, which is one of the most affluent areas in the entire country, almost 45,000 people are living below the poverty level. Many households that appear middle class, in which both spouses are working, often face limited or uncertain availability of food. Known as food insecurity, the number of families facing this condition is currently at its highest point in 4 years.
• In neighboring Northern New Jersey Counties, the poverty rates are higher than the national average of 12.5% and the New Jersey average of 8.5%. The poverty rate in Essex County is 15.6%; in Hudson County 15.5%; and 12.3% in Passaic County.
• Despite providing an average of almost 61,000 meals to the community each week, agencies continue to ask for more food to feed their clients, while new agencies call on a regular basis to be considered for food for their hungry constituencies.

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