Did you know that 92 billion pounds of food goes to waste in the U.S. every year? Unfortunately, school meals contribute to that number, but we will be working together to make a difference!
In an effort to reduce food waste at Downey Unified schools, this school year, we’ll be introducing new share tables in our lunchrooms.
How Share Tables Work
If a student is done eating their lunch but has unwanted and unopened leftovers, instead of throwing everything away, they’ll be able to place the following uneaten items at our new Share Tables:
- Whole, unpeeled fruit
- Unopened prepackaged items
- Unopened milk or juice
The food left at the Share Tables is then available for students who are still hungry. They can pick up an extra serving or snack at no cost! This system will help ensure good food finds a home instead of ending up in the trash.
Other Ways to Help Reduce Food Waste
Join us in our efforts to reduce food waste with these other tips for students!
Take What You’ll Eat
Try to remind your student that when going through the lunch line, they should take a moment to think about how much you’ll actually eat. Then guide them to try to only take what they know you’ll finish. Less food on their tray means less waste later!
We do recognize that students are asked to take one item from each food group when filling their lunch trays to support healthy eating habits. While we encourage our students to choose options from each food group that they’ll enjoy, if they don’t find something they like from a food group that day, we will begin urging our students to consider placing that item on the Share Table.
If your student brings lunch from home, talk as a family about what usually gets eaten and what ends up in the trash. Could smaller portions or different foods help make sure less goes uneaten? Unfortunately, items brought from home cannot be placed on the Share Tables, so try to be thoughtful about what is packed for lunch each day.
Snacks for Later
Some foods are great for saving to eat later! If you have a non-perishable item like a granola bar, trail mix, or even a sturdy piece of fruit like an apple, those items can be saved in your student’s backpack for a snack later in the day. Just remember, perishables like yogurt or milk won’t last without being refrigerated, and if brought from home, those items can’t be placed on the Share Tables.
Next Steps
Let’s work together to be smart, thoughtful, and kind with our food. With the new school year, encourage your child and their friends to use the Share Tables for unwanted, eligible food items. If you have any questions about the Share Tables, please feel free to speak with your school’s cafeteria staff.