Twelve years of food recovery, volunteer service and community partnerships continue to make an impact across Hudson County.
What began more than a decade ago at Saint Peter’s University has grown into an ongoing effort to address food insecurity, prevent food waste and serve neighbors throughout Hudson County.The Campus Kitchen at Saint Peter’s University is approaching a major milestone of 200,000 pounds of recovered food.
Since beginning its work in September 2014 from a kitchen in the former Saint Aedan’s convent, the Campus Kitchen has mobilized volunteers to recover excess food from local cafeterias, dining halls and community partners and repackage it into nutritious meals for those experiencing food insecurity. In 2024, the operation moved to the Mac Mahon Student Center, where the work continues today under the leadership of Erich Sekel, director of community service.
Currently, the Campus Kitchen provides approximately 500 meals to organizations and community members, including a veterans housing unit, Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Center, Magnificat House, Mercy House, P.E.R.C. Shelter and individual families.
The impact extends beyond providing a meal. By recovering food that would otherwise go to waste, the program gives food donor partners an opportunity to put excess food to use while also providing local nonprofits and shelters with weekly relief from the cost of providing dinner for their clients.
The work also reflects Saint Peter’s Jesuit mission and its commitment to seeking justice for marginalized communities. Through the Campus Kitchen, volunteers address the connected issues of food waste and food insecurity while affirming the dignity of the individuals and families receiving the meals.
Providing a quality meal, according to the program’s mission, addresses far more than sustenance. It is also an opportunity to recognize the value and dignity of the University’s neighbors and the nonprofit organizations that serve them.
A Community Effort
Reaching nearly 200,000 pounds of recovered food has been a collective effort.
Over the program’s 12 years, more than 4,000 volunteers have participated, including Saint Peter’s students, alumni and staff, as well as volunteers from local high schools, corporations and church groups. While the program is led by its director and leadership team, volunteers carry out much of the food recovery and meal preparation that keeps the Campus Kitchen operating.
The program has also developed relationships with food donors throughout the area. Current consistent donors include Restaurant Associates at Goldman Sachs, Sodexo at Jersey City Medical Center and Aramark Dining at Saint Peter’s University. Through Table to Table, the Campus Kitchen also receives food recovered from DTCC and Fidelity Investments, along with catering from Lord Abbett.
For Saint Peter’s students who participate, the Campus Kitchen provides a hands-on opportunity to engage with issues of social justice while directly serving the surrounding community.
Service Recognized
The Campus Kitchen’s work has also received recognition from organizations throughout the region.
In 2024, Saint Peter’s received the Hunger Hero Award from Hudson County. In 2025, the University was named a Community Partner honoree by Garden State Development Corporation, followed by a Community Service Award from Catholic Charities in 2026.
As the Campus Kitchen approaches 200,000 pounds of recovered food, the milestone represents more than the amount of food saved over the years. It reflects thousands of volunteers, partnerships throughout the community and 12 years of turning excess food into meals for neighbors who need them.
For Saint Peter’s, the work continues to demonstrate how service, solidarity and care for others can extend far beyond the University’s campus.