10,000 Pounds of Hope: How Ridgewood Schools are Turning Cafeteria Leftovers into Senior Meals

Ridgewood Public Schools Rescues 10,000+ Pounds of Food for Bergen County Seniors

the staff of the ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In a groundbreaking partnership that is setting a new standard for New Jersey school districts, Ridgewood Public Schools and the non-profit Table to Table have successfully diverted over 10,074 pounds of nutritious food from landfills to the plates of those who need it most.

Launched late last year, this initiative represents the first district-wide food rescue program in Bergen County, proving that logistical challenges can be transformed into powerful community solutions.

How the “I-Rescue” Tech Works

The program’s success relies on a seamless collaboration between school staff, food service providers, and local volunteers. Here is the step-by-step process:

• Collection: Pomptonian Food Service, the district’s provider, identifies and gathers surplus meals and snacks from seven different school cafeterias.

• Coordination: Using the Table to Table I-Rescue App, volunteers are notified when food is ready for pickup.

• Delivery: Local volunteers transport the rescued food directly to nearby senior apartments and residents in need.

A Milestone of Impact: 132 Rescues and Counting

Since the program began in October, the district has completed 132 successful food rescues. Beyond feeding the hungry, the environmental impact is staggering—keeping five tons of organic waste out of New Jersey landfills.

“We are proud of this shared mission to eliminate food waste,” said Superintendent of Schools Mark Schwartz. “It’s a powerful lesson for our students: when we work together, we can turn a logistical challenge into a community solution.”

A Dual Focus: Hunger and the Environment

Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table, praised Ridgewood for tackling two crises at once: food insecurity and environmental waste. The program ensures that high-quality, nutritious food—which would otherwise be discarded—serves a vital purpose in the community.

How to Get Involved

The program’s continued success depends on the “last mile” delivery provided by neighbors. Residents of Ridgewood and surrounding Bergen County towns can sign up to become “food rescue heroes” by downloading the app or visiting the Table to Table website.

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