Every day in New Jersey, thousands of pounds of fresh food go to waste while families struggle to put meals on the table. We're changing that.
New Jersey stands at the intersection of two urgent challenges--and we believe they hold the solution to each other.
Over 900,000 people in our state don't know where their next meal will come from. Food insecurity affects working families, seniors on fixed incomes, children in every school district, and individuals experiencing sudden hardship.
The Impact: Hunger doesn't just mean empty stomachs--it means kids struggling to focus in school, adults choosing between groceries and medicine, and families living under constant stress.
Meanwhile, grocery stores, restaurants, farms, and distributors discard millions of pounds of perfectly edible food every year due to cosmetic imperfections, overproduction, or approaching best-by dates.
The Impact: This waste fills our landfills, releases methane into the atmosphere, and represents a staggering loss of resources, labor, and potential nourishment.
We don't accept this reality. We see a better way forward--one where rescued food becomes a source of dignity, health, and hope.
Seed & Spoon NJ operates a dignity-first food rescue and meal preparation program that directly connects surplus food with families who need it most.
We bridge the gap between abundance and need through community-powered logistics, commercial kitchen operations, and partnerships built on trust and respect.
We partner with grocery stores, farms, restaurants, and food distributors to intercept high-quality produce, proteins, and staples before they're discarded. Our trained volunteers pick up donations daily using food-safe transport.
In our commercial kitchens, trained volunteers and culinary staff transform rescued ingredients into chef-designed, culturally diverse meals. We prioritize nutrition, flavor, and the dignity of home-cooked quality.
Every meal is individually portioned, clearly labeled with ingredients and reheating instructions, and packaged in eco-friendly, microwaveable containers. We treat every meal as if it were for our own family.
We coordinate delivery to schools, community centers, food banks, and direct distribution sites across New Jersey. No ID required, no paperwork, no stigma--just warm meals offered with respect.
We believe everyone deserves access to fresh, delicious, thoughtfully prepared food--no questions asked, no barriers, no shame.
Every meal is prepared in commercial kitchens meeting state and federal standards, with full allergen tracking and temperature control.
By rescuing food, we reduce landfill waste, lower carbon emissions, and model sustainable community systems.
We listen to the communities we serve and prepare meals that honor diverse culinary traditions and dietary needs.
We share how every dollar is spent, publish annual impact reports, and invite community feedback to continuously improve.
Our work is possible because of hundreds of volunteers who give their time, skills, and heart to this mission every week.
Transparency is at the heart of our work. Here's a detailed look at how we run our programs every day.
We believe in radical transparency. Here's where your support goes and the tangible difference it makes.
Every dollar is invested directly into our mission. Here's our breakdown for the 2024 fiscal year:
Commercial kitchen rental, ingredients, packaging, food safety supplies
Vehicle maintenance, fuel, refrigerated van leasing, driver stipends
ServSafe certifications, onboarding materials, volunteer appreciation
Staff salaries, insurance, software systems, accounting
Partnership building, fundraising events, communications
Our goal is to keep administrative costs under 10% while maintaining the infrastructure needed for long-term impact. We're proud that 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to program delivery.
Want to see the full breakdown? Download our annual impact report with detailed financials, program outcomes, and community testimonials.
Read Our 2024 Impact Report (PDF) →We're here to answer your questions about how we work, who we serve, and how you can get involved.
Every meal we serve, every pound of food we rescue, every volunteer hour given--it all adds up to a more just, sustainable, and nourished New Jersey.
Whether you donate, volunteer, or partner with us, you're helping to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry and no good food goes to waste.
Fund meals, kitchen operations, and delivery logistics. Every $5 provides two nutritious meals.
Make a DonationJoin our kitchen crews, delivery teams, or outreach efforts. Flexible schedules and full training provided.
Sign Up to VolunteerSchools, food banks, farms, and businesses--let's collaborate to amplify our collective impact.
Explore PartnershipsTogether, we're building a future where good food, dignity, and community care are accessible to all.