This Elementary School Lunch Program Is Something Every School Should Implement
Sometimes brilliance is hiding under a simple solution. In an attempt to reduce waste and give back to families in need, elementary schools in Orange County, Florida, have started a straightforward yet genius lunch program, and it’s working wonders.
It’s called a ‘share table,’ and at it, students can leave any unwanted and unopened food or drink packages, so anyone can take an item they want off the table. In addition, those who may not have had enough to eat can pick up an extra snack to fill themselves up. And, if the school day is over and there’s still food on the table, administrators take it to the local food bank, church, or charity.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that as much as 20 public elementary schools in the county have a program like this in place. “Without this program, that would literally go in the dumpsters,” one local pastor said. “It really helps us out.”
One year ago, the United States Department of Agriculture issued a memo, endorsing this concept as “an innovative strategy to encourage the consumption of nutritious foods and reduce food waste.”
(h/t popsugar)
In an attempt to reduce waste and give back to families in need, elementary schools in Orange County, Florida, have started a straightforward yet genius lunch program
Image credits: wuhanmommy
Students can leave any unwanted and unopened food or drink packages, so anyone can take an item they want off the table
Image credits: nhfcommunity
And those who may not have had enough to eat can pick up an extra snack to fill themselves up
Image credits: sustainable_america
Most people loved the concept and claimed it has spread even wider
Some, however, pointed out a few possible flaws
What do you think?
Makes me cry a little, to be honest. It's very heartwarming... and I can't bear to think of a child being hungry. Bravo to this school!
Wish they had this when I was a kid. I was often sent to school without enough food and was always starving :/
WTF?!?!?!?! Did you read the social media comments? Some schools have rules against kids sharing food with each other. What on earth? This is insanity. This program is great and it absolutely beyond blows my mind that some idiots would make rules to prevent the sharing of food, especially between friends. I'm sure this is some peanut b******t (kids who can't go near nuts should be taught how to properly protect themselves instead of trying to dictate the behaviour of the whole school). I'm naturally a very cynical person but even I didn't think anybody could be down on something like not wasting food. WTF?!?!?!
oh man, you should look up what grocery stores do with food past its best buy date. They legit just toss it out and forbid anyone from going into their dumpsters to take out any sealed food. Its absolute madness! Some places send their slightly past expiration date food to shelters or to food co-ops. but that is far from the norm. we are a horrible wasteful society.
Load More Replies...We really need to expand on this. Hunger anywhere is a crime. Hunger in developed countries is an outright travesty. To me, no nation can ever truly call itself "great" when its' citizens (especially its' children) hunger.
My school does this but we put it in the middle of the table and someone collects it
Many schools/districts won't allow things to be taken HOME from school grounds due to possible lawsuit (food poisoning, contamination issues, etc), but I think if the kids eat the food onsite, and there's no risk of allergy, it's a great way to cut down on waste. I work for an afterschool program, we feed our kids a hot meal and a snack, there's so much waste, we know our allergic kiddos, and, there's a small share box, but nothing like this. I don't know what type of system the lunch ladies use during the day. A few years ago, some items that were appropriate were composted into our garden, though.....I do wish we could donate to the homeless, or a food bank, but our program won't let us, due to that pesky lawsuit possibility....
That's an awesome idea. My country had a different idea of preventing food waste though. Back when I was in elementary school, students were given a fruit and a snack + chocolate drink (which we can drink anytime we want) everyday. Unsurprisingly, fruits became leftovers and some students who took them either threw them in the drain or left them on the cafeteria's table. I always take them home though when I don't feel like eating it so I can give them to my family haha. So, to prevent such thing from happening again, no food or drink are provided anymore. :')
What a great idea...for the kids who get to know they've helped someone else, too.
Great idea, but the sharing table isn't new - my elementary school did this in the 70s
At my school, we aren't allowed to share food, but they did this and only people who didn't finish their school bought lunch could put it on the tray
I have something similar to this at my school, except it’s called food rescue.
Many states have rules that don't allow sharing food. This is a great idea where it's allowed, though. Btw: I've been a teacher for 22 years, so I know about the screwy rules.
I probably get the idea wrong, but why are there all these small boxes in the first place? Would it not be better if the school canteen would give out all food in reusable boxes instead of using small toss-away containers? Doing so, children could also choose the amount of food according to their needs. Schools should of course also support those children whose's parents cannot or will not afford school food or send them to school without breakfast.
Very smart! Kids throw away ao much food, so it only makes sense to give them a way to not throw it out and let someone else benefit. Should be done at all schools.
Makes me cry a little, to be honest. It's very heartwarming... and I can't bear to think of a child being hungry. Bravo to this school!
Wish they had this when I was a kid. I was often sent to school without enough food and was always starving :/
WTF?!?!?!?! Did you read the social media comments? Some schools have rules against kids sharing food with each other. What on earth? This is insanity. This program is great and it absolutely beyond blows my mind that some idiots would make rules to prevent the sharing of food, especially between friends. I'm sure this is some peanut b******t (kids who can't go near nuts should be taught how to properly protect themselves instead of trying to dictate the behaviour of the whole school). I'm naturally a very cynical person but even I didn't think anybody could be down on something like not wasting food. WTF?!?!?!
oh man, you should look up what grocery stores do with food past its best buy date. They legit just toss it out and forbid anyone from going into their dumpsters to take out any sealed food. Its absolute madness! Some places send their slightly past expiration date food to shelters or to food co-ops. but that is far from the norm. we are a horrible wasteful society.
Load More Replies...We really need to expand on this. Hunger anywhere is a crime. Hunger in developed countries is an outright travesty. To me, no nation can ever truly call itself "great" when its' citizens (especially its' children) hunger.
My school does this but we put it in the middle of the table and someone collects it
Many schools/districts won't allow things to be taken HOME from school grounds due to possible lawsuit (food poisoning, contamination issues, etc), but I think if the kids eat the food onsite, and there's no risk of allergy, it's a great way to cut down on waste. I work for an afterschool program, we feed our kids a hot meal and a snack, there's so much waste, we know our allergic kiddos, and, there's a small share box, but nothing like this. I don't know what type of system the lunch ladies use during the day. A few years ago, some items that were appropriate were composted into our garden, though.....I do wish we could donate to the homeless, or a food bank, but our program won't let us, due to that pesky lawsuit possibility....
That's an awesome idea. My country had a different idea of preventing food waste though. Back when I was in elementary school, students were given a fruit and a snack + chocolate drink (which we can drink anytime we want) everyday. Unsurprisingly, fruits became leftovers and some students who took them either threw them in the drain or left them on the cafeteria's table. I always take them home though when I don't feel like eating it so I can give them to my family haha. So, to prevent such thing from happening again, no food or drink are provided anymore. :')
What a great idea...for the kids who get to know they've helped someone else, too.
Great idea, but the sharing table isn't new - my elementary school did this in the 70s
At my school, we aren't allowed to share food, but they did this and only people who didn't finish their school bought lunch could put it on the tray
I have something similar to this at my school, except it’s called food rescue.
Many states have rules that don't allow sharing food. This is a great idea where it's allowed, though. Btw: I've been a teacher for 22 years, so I know about the screwy rules.
I probably get the idea wrong, but why are there all these small boxes in the first place? Would it not be better if the school canteen would give out all food in reusable boxes instead of using small toss-away containers? Doing so, children could also choose the amount of food according to their needs. Schools should of course also support those children whose's parents cannot or will not afford school food or send them to school without breakfast.
Very smart! Kids throw away ao much food, so it only makes sense to give them a way to not throw it out and let someone else benefit. Should be done at all schools.
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