Leftover food from Bloomfield schools rescued for local seniors.

Table to Table rescues surplus food from Bloomfield schools and delivers it to the Oakeside Seniors Program and local pantries to provide free, nourishing food for older adults.

Table to Table has launched a program, with support from the Grotta Fund for Older Adults, to provide free rescued food to local seniors. The program brings fresh prepared meals, fruit, cereal packs, frozen meals, and meal kits directly to participants of the Oakeside Seniors Program in Bloomfield. Table to Table also delivers rescued food to Manna Food Pantry and Toni's Kitchen for distribution through soup kitchens, home delivery and community distributions. The organization began partnering with the Bloomfield School District in Fall 2025 and mobilizes volunteers through its I-Rescue App to collect surplus cafeteria food. Highlights: - The program provides rescued food at no cost to older adults through the Oakeside Seniors Program and local pantries. - Deliveries to Oakeside occur as part of a bi-weekly social and wellness program run by the Township of Bloomfield and Neighbor to Neighbor Network. - Table to Table also supplies Manna Food Pantry and Toni's Kitchen, which distribute food via soup kitchens, home delivery and community distributions for seniors with limited mobility. - The partnership with Bloomfield schools began in Fall 2025; volunteers rescue surplus food two to three times a week using the I-Rescue App. - Table to Table describes itself as New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit and reports rescuing more than 133,271 tons of food since 1999 and reducing over 612 metric tons of methane emissions. Summary: The program aims to reduce food waste while making rescued, nutritious food available to older adults in community settings and in their homes. The partnership with local pantries and Bloomfield schools has created a steady local stream of rescued food and engages volunteers in regular collection and delivery.