Transforming Waste into Opportunity: Wake Schools’ Food Repurposing Initiative
A sparkling initiative is making waves across Wake County schools, brilliantly turning food waste into tasty snacks for hungry students. With an insightful pilot program in place, hundreds of ready-to-eat packaged items and fresh fruit are being liberated from trash bins each day, becoming accessible to any student in need.
A Noble Partnership
In an ambitious bid to tackle the pressing issue of food waste, the Wake County Public School System has teamed up with the Cary-based nonprofit Toward Zero Waste. This collaboration birthed the innovative SHARE Program, an acronym for Stop Hunger And Restore Earth.
How It Works
Initiated in March, this pioneering program began at eight elementary schools. Carts in the bustling cafeteria collect untouched meal items that students, often required to take under federal regulations, simply choose not to consume. According to the guidelines set forth by the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program, students are encouraged to select specific items, resulting in a significant amount of leftover food.
After breakfast and lunch, dedicated staff Members quickly gather these leftovers, wisely placing them into a refrigerator or pantry cart, conveniently located in a central area or the front office of each school.
Snack Time for All
The beauty of this program lies in its accessibility. Students can grab a snack at any time—a lifesaver for those missing breakfast or in need of a quick afternoon treat. Some schools creatively display leftovers at the end of the day, allowing students to help themselves as they leave.
"We put it out at dismissal, and it’s gone," says Karen Proctor, STEM specialist at Dillard Drive Magnet Elementary School. Her enthusiasm echoes the sentiments of many involved in this transformative initiative.
A Win-Win for Students
Remarkably, students who choose to share an item can return later for a snack, fostering a sense of community and sharing. Randi Jones, the magnet coordinator at Millbrook Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary, observes: "Kids give up a lot of cauliflower packets, but they don’t stay long in the SHARE refrigerator. ‘Man, are they happy to have it at the end of the day.’"
Learning Beyond the Plate
The SHARE Program is more than just a food-saving effort; it teaches invaluable lessons in conservation, sharing, and leadership. School leaders have presented their findings to the school board’s facilities committee, sharing impactful student involvement in managing the program and their eagerness to enhance it further.
Food Variety and Future Aspirations
This program collects an array of items—think muffins, granola bars, fresh fruits, and much more. While items requiring refrigeration, like milk, aren’t included yet, there’s hope to incorporate those soon, especially given the abundance of unopened milks frequently discarded.
Students eagerly access this bounty primarily during breakfast and lunch or during class snacks and after school. Remarkably, volunteers have tracked an average of 41 food items donated each day per school, eventually totaling around 7,380 items over a 180-day school year. Most schools report minimal to no waste from collected food items.
Looking Ahead
Excitingly, this progressive program is set to expand next year to six more elementary schools and four middle schools. The prospect of reaching even more students fills the community with optimism and hope.
As we move toward a sustainable future, initiatives like the SHARE Program not only alleviate food waste but also nourish hungry minds, creating a ripple effect of kindness and awareness.
For more on sustainable practices, visit Toward Zero Waste to discover how you can contribute to minimizing waste in your community.
