reducing wasted food in child nutrition programs · reducing wasted food in child nutrition...
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Reducing Wasted Food in Child Nutrition Programs
Joshua Becker
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• Food waste in the U.S. is estimated at between 30-40
percent of the food supply
• From 2010 ERS data, this corresponds to 133 billion pounds
and $161 billion worth of food
• Substantial economic, environmental and societal impacts
The Challenge
Published in 2015, the USDA and EPA have
teamed up on a goal to reduce food loss and
waste by 50% by 2030 in order to improve
overall food security and conserve our nation’s
natural resources.
The Goal
School Meals (breakfast, lunch, snack, supper)CACFP (pre-K), Summer Meals
Schools spend more than
on food annually
$13 billion
2010 Healthy, Hunger Free Kids ActWhole Grains
LegumesFruits &
Vegetables
Schwartz, M. B., Henderson, K. E., Read, M., Danna, N., & Ickovics, J. R. (2015). New school
meal regulations increase fruit consumption and do not increase total plate waste. Childhood Obesity, 11(3), 242-247.
Cohen, J. F., Richardson, S., Parker, E., Catalano, P. J., & Rimm, E. B. (2014). Impact of the new U.S. Department of Agriculture school meal standards on food selection, consumption, and waste. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 46(4), 388-394.
Prepare Just Enough Food
• Menu planning
• Production records
• Creative sourcing
Make Sure it Gets Eaten!
• Convenient/fun format
• Taste tests
• Student Advisory Committees
• Wellness Policy
• Smarter Lunchrooms
• Time to eat
• Salad bars
• Farm to School
• Offer vs. Serve
Feed More Kids
• Use leftovers in subsequent meal
• Share tables
» Students place food on share table or
cooler after “the line”
» Students can pick up items from share
table at no cost
» May be served during another meal
» May be donated to nonprofit
organization
Share Tables
• Schools can set policies (i.e.
unopened, refrigeration)
• Time and temperature
control
• Comply with local and state
regulations (health and
food safety codes)
• Comply with HACCP plan
Food Donation
• Any program food not
consumed may be
donated to eligible
local food banks or
other nonprofits
• Protected against civil
and criminal liability
through the Good
Samaritan Act
Connect with Farms
• School meal programs can
separate waste and donate
to nearby farms
Donate Used Cooking Oil
Composting
Additional Resources
www.usda.gov/oce/foodwaste
https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-
management-food
