Cause
Surplus Rescue
Saving good food. Feeding our neighbors. Respecting the planet.
Every day, perfectly good food gets tossed—not because it's unsafe, but because it's extra. Seed & Spoon NJ's Surplus Rescue Program steps in before that happens. We collect surplus from grocery stores, bakeries, food banks, and local partners, then transform it into fresh meals, grocery boxes, and community dinners for families in need.
What is Surplus Rescue?
Instead of letting good food go to waste, we redirect it back into our community.
Seed & Spoon NJ partners with businesses that have unsold, safe food—produce, bread, pantry items, prepared items, and more. Our team picks it up, sorts it, and distributes it through our meal program, grocery boxes, and community events.
Surplus Rescue lets us feed more families while reducing food waste and environmental harm.
From Back Room to Family Table
Once surplus arrives at Seed & Spoon, it doesn't sit. Volunteers move quickly to sort, label, and pack it into family-sized boxes and ingredients for cooked meals.
Boxes are built with care—balancing fresh produce, pantry staples, and proteins so families can stretch what they receive into several days of meals.
Every box is more than food. It's proof that what others were ready to throw away can become stability, dignity, and relief for a neighbor.
Where the Food Comes From
We work with local partners across New Jersey who care about reducing waste and feeding their neighbors:
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Bakeries and cafés
- Food banks and pantries with overflow
- Restaurants, caterers, and event venues
- Seasonal donation drives and community collections
How the Surplus Rescue Program Works
1. Partners notify us
Stores or organizations contact us when they have safe, unsold food approaching its sell-by date or left over from service.
2. Pickup & safe transport
Our trained volunteers pick up surplus items using food-safe handling, proper storage, and temperature control from door to door.
3. Sorting & quality checks
Everything is inspected, sorted, and labeled by type and date. Items that don't meet our standards are composted whenever possible instead of landfilled.
4. Distributed to families
Surplus fuels our weekly meal program, monthly grocery boxes, and community dinners— reaching families referred by schools, social workers, and community partners.
Why Surplus Rescue Matters
For families
Fresh, nutritious food at no cost—reducing stress and stretching tight budgets with dignity, not judgment.
For partners
Turn what would be waste into local impact. Lower disposal costs, support neighbors, and show your values in action.
For the planet
Food waste is a major driver of emissions. Rescuing surplus keeps good food out of landfills and helps build a more sustainable New Jersey.
Join the Surplus Rescue Network
Whether you donate food, time, or resources, you're helping Seed & Spoon NJ transform surplus into nourishment—and waste into hope.