Feed People, Not Landfills

An estimated 1 billion unpeeled, unopened and unwanted food items are discarded annually in American schools because students don't have an option other than throwing it away. Earth Day is a perfect chance to reconsider our impact on the environment and inspire real change. One effective way to honor this day is by participating in food rescue initiatives. At www.foodrescue.net you can get help partnering with local food pantries and shelters. By donating uneaten food, you not only support those in need but also help reduce the amount of waste heading to landfills and the impact that has on the environment.

K12 Food Rescue

A key advocate in the field of food rescue is John Williamson, a former Indiana teacher who founded the organization K12 Food Rescue. His work has been pivotal in providing solutions to reduce food waste in schools and teaching communities how to alleviate hunger. You can use K12 Food Rescue's free tracker tool to record the number of food items donated and it calculates the number of meals you rescued for families in need. The tool also calculates reduced greenhouse emissions by not sending the food to landfills. For example, the CO2e reduction shown below is like keeping the emissions from a car driven 18 miles out of the atmosphere. Just imagine how this could add up!

With K12 Food Rescue's free tracker tool you can share a visual story of the impact you're having.

The Power of Donate Tables

K12 Food Rescue encourages schools to take action by using share or donate tables. These special tables serve as designated spots where unopened meal items can be placed for donation instead of throwing them in the trash. With a share table, students who are still hungry can take items to eat. Because these tables are often unmonitored, a donate table is not for students to remove items from, only donate to. This can help eliminate the possibility of a child taking an item causing an allergic reaction. In some cases, unopened food kept at proper temperature like milk, string cheese, whole and packaged fruit, can be returned to your inventory, improving your food cost. It's a win-win. Check your state agency for guidance. Schools that implemented share and donate tables reported a 30% reduction in food waste.

Keep perishable food at proper temperatures on Donate Tables.

Community Involvement Makes a Difference

Participating in food rescue goes beyond the kitchen walls. School Nutrition programs can team up with nearby shelters and food pantries to donate leftover food that cannot be reused. You can teach lifelong lessons by involving students in your efforts to provide hunger relief in the community and care for the planet. We already know you are heroes, this is just another way you can show your whole school how to make a real difference!