I would like clarification on the following issue:
A Jeffco Board Policy, effective 6/16/09, states, "All menus, recipe cards and books, food, equipment and supplies are the property of the Jeffco Public Schools. Under no circumstances is an employee to take or give away any school district property. It is against District policy to take food from any school for personal reasons. Food being transferred between sites must be approved by a Food Service facilitator before the food is transferred. Leftover food may not be given to other staff members as a "free" lunch or any other person for any reason. The Kitchen Manager will make every effort to use leftover food as a choice the following day. All leftovers which are not reusable must be thrown away into the proper refuse containers."
This policy seems aimed at preventing thievery and loss of school resources to purposes it was not intended for. I know that around '09, cafeterias became more stringent with teacher lunches and provided the same portions for adults as kids and this policy seems to govern this. It does not seem to bar the possibility of redistributing food that has been bought, and therefor no longer the property of Jefferson County Public Schools.
At my school, like others in Jeffco, we throw away massive amounts of good food. Food that is still in sealed containers. It has all been bought by a student, who then decides they are not hungry and throw it away. However, it should be possible to reclaim some of this value.
There is no argument from the USDA or the Federal Government that this food can be reclaimed. It is even encouraged and they provide some resources for getting started.
According to the USDA, "The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Western Region Office and the Nutrition Services Division of the California Department of Education have determined that leftover foods may be donated to charitable feeding programs rather than be discarded." ... "A majority of what students throw away include packaged food or fresh whole fruits and vegetables. These foods can be placed on a donation table, a reuse box or "sharing tables." Sharing tables are carts and/or tables where children can place unconsumed food and beverage items (pre-packaged food and beverages, unopened wrapped food and beverages, or food items with a peel) that they choose not to eat/drink. These tables provide an opportunity for other children to take additional helpings of food or beverages at no cost to them. In many instances, food and beverage items, especially unopened milk, have been reused by child nutrition operations as part of a reimbursable meal, served a la carte, and/or used in cooking." (source: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/reducewaste/schools/food/Donation.htm.)
President Clinton issued a memorandum asking the Federal Government to do more to promote food recovery activities to help reduce hunger in America. This food could be donated, or it could be collected by the cafeteria and re-sold, or given to staff, or distributed to students. If the owner (purchaser) relinquishes it, it would be thrown to the landfill, or it could be donated back the school to do with as we see fit.
I do not see any problem with that.
If I am right, please let me know. If there is more to discuss, I would like to continue the conversation.
