School ‘Share Tables”

School “share tables” are taking on child hunger and food waste.

The new initiative Share Tables strives to feed kids (and adults) in need all while saving nutritious, usable food from landfills.

All students need to do is leave unwanted food or drinks at a designated station where others can help themselves. Any food left at the end of the day can go towards after-school programs, or a nearby shelter or non-profit.

The first goal is to make sure there is no hungry kids at school. The second goal is to bring the food so they can feed the hungry people in town. This is all food that would get thrown away. Food is not trash.

School lunch rooms encourage trying and eating new foods when possible, but realizes that the share table measures will keep leftovers from going to the garbage. Plus, share table allow kids to drop off what they don’t want and pick up an equally healthy option instead.

To keep kids and recipients safe most share tables restrict what can go on a table, like unopened, prepackaged foods and unpeeled fruit.

I think this “Share Table” is an excellent idea. I was a lunch room supervisor years ago. I witnessed many uneaten lunches being tossed in the garbage, and seeing other young children go hungry.

Instead of playing with the food they didn’t want, kids were more than happy to give it to their peers.

It wasn’t just the hungry students who were benefitting, the custodians love it too.

When nearly 13 million children face hunger every day and schools currently wastes about 40% of its food supply. But new share tables are popping up in cafeterias across the country and aim to address both problems in one fell swoop.

I really hope this genius idea of “Share Tables” spreads worldwide.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/news/a46885/school-share-tables/