Expansion of new food program feeds hungry students, reduces waste

LEBANON, Ohio - In an effort to reduce food waste eventually at all of its elementary schools, the Kings Local School District Food and Nutrition Food Services is expanding a new program.

J.F Burns Elementary is the latest school to implement a sharing table during breakfast and lunch times which will start Feb. 12. The new procedure allows students to place unopened, sealed food items into a "sharing bin." The food is then monitored and examined by the food service staff to ensure only approved items are being shared among the students.

The sharing table program started at South Lebanon Elementary School after a study in December 2012 revealed the school was wasting an average of 1,000 pounds of waffles, 420 gallons of milk, and 50 gallons of orange juice throughout the year during breakfast alone.

The students were educated on on the new procedure and assistance was provided to students on the first day to help them gain understanding of the new process.

Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act championed by first lady Michelle Obama and signed by President Barack Obama, school children are now required to accept more fruits and vegetables when making their way through the lunch line. While new standards are helping raise a healthier generation of kids, the "sharing tables" will now promote a better scope on waste management and provide hungry students with more options.

The Kings Local School District hopes to have a "sharing table" at all six of its elementary schools by the end of March 2013.