Before the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, students in all four elementary schools and Hommocks Middle School in the Mamaroneck Union Free School District recycled their food scraps in the cafeterias. Students also shared their excess, unopened and edible food in “share baskets” in the cafeterias with those in need at nearby food pantries and soup kitchens. This arrangement was a collaboration among students, parents and high school volunteers, and food service staff from Aramark, then the school district’s food service provider.
More than 2 years later, for the new school year of 2022-2023, the district’s PTA parents are working to reintegrate food scrap recycling and food rescue in their respective school cafeterias in partnership with their schools and Whitsons, the district’s new food service provider. Wishing the schools all the best in this relaunch!
Photo from Central School lunchroom shows one of the benefits of the Love Your Food educational program in the 2022/2023 school year – new and improved trash/recycling/compost bins with clear signage.