Students at Brown Elementary School in South Portland are diving into the topic of food waste. Recently, researchers from the University of Maine visited to kick off an enlightening program on reducing food waste in school cafeterias.
During their visit, students learned about proper nutrition and the importance of minimizing food waste. Instead of tossing leftover food, they were encouraged to share with friends or compost it. The students will now keep track of their food scraps daily to see how their efforts change over time.
This initiative is led by Susanne Lee, a faculty member at UMaine. She emphasizes that simple actions at school can lead to healthier eating habits and less food being thrown away. “We want students to see food as fuel for their bodies,” she explained.
Shawn Perry, the Food Service Director, added, “Teaching kids about healthy plates is key. They need to recognize the value of their food.” This project is part of a broader eight-week study by Food Rescue Maine, a nonprofit organization focused on improving nutrition and educating students about food versus waste.
Interestingly, food waste is a significant issue nationwide. According to recent statistics, approximately 30-40% of the food supply in the United States is wasted each year. That’s around 133 billion pounds of food, impacting both our resources and the environment. Programs like this are crucial in changing attitudes among young people and reducing waste at the source.
In today’s world, where social media often buzzes with topics like sustainability, students and schools embracing initiatives to reduce waste reflect a larger trend. More youth are engaging with environmental issues online, creating a demand for education on food management and sustainability in schools.
By fostering this knowledge in students early on, we can hope to see a generation that values food and understands its importance. Schools taking the lead in this education not only contribute to individual health but also to the well-being of our planet.
For more insight into food waste reduction efforts, you can visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website for resources and information.
Check out this related article: Urgent Concern: How Funding Cuts Are Jeopardizing Food Security in Kern County
Source linkFood waste,South Portland,Brown Elementary School,Nutrition,Food scraps,University of Maine,Food Rescue Maine,Composting
