Schools partner with food bank to 'rescue' food
Under new guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sponsors in the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program may donate food items that would otherwise be discarded. Under this "food rescue,” donations may go to entities such as local food pantries and shelters.
While school nutrition managers are conscientious to prepare and purchase only food that will be served in their schools, unforeseen situations can occur. Such was the case with Colonial School District as it prepared for spring break this week.
Nutrition managers determined that fresh produce would not be edible upon return after the 10-day recess and that some dairy products would expire. Combining produce from 14 schools in the district, Colonial donated 966 pounds to the Food Bank of Delaware. The donation included two dozen cucumbers/green peppers, half a dozen 4 oz. yogurts, a case of apple slices, 1 1/2 cases of grapes and 16 cases of milk.
“Colonial and the Food Bank helped ensure children continued to have access to fresh foods during their break,” Secretary of Education Lillian M. Lowery said.
Colonial School Nutrition Supervisor Paula Angelucci said the district saw this as an opportunity to support the community.
“This is a win-win situation,” Angelucci said. “My fellow child nutrition supervisors and I welcome the opportunity to partner with the Food Bank and other area shelters as feeding children is our first priority.”
Food Bank leaders also welcome the partnership.
“With one in four Delawareans depending on emergency food assistance through our network of hunger-relief partners, we’re thrilled to be partnering with area schools to make sure families, especially children, have access to healthy foods,” said Patricia Beebe, president and CEO. “This partnership provides just another opportunity for our schools to play a critical role in alleviating hunger in the First State.”
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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