Prevent Food Waste in Schools
The largest part of our trash is food. When we throw away or compost food that could have been eaten, all the resources that went into making the food are also wasted.
Get free help preventing wasted food
Schools can get free funding and assistance with food waste prevention. A school waste reduction expert can help with projects like
- Tray audits to measure the the amount of wasted food generated in your cafeteria
- Food share tables for students to take and put back unopened food
Learn more about the school waste prevention and recycling grant.
Get started with food donation
- Prepared menu items and buffet foods
- Produce, dairy and deli items as long as they were kept at safe temperatures
- Unused food from catered events
- Day-old and other baked goods
- Unlabeled or mislabeled foods
- Excess produce from community gardens
Food donors are protected by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Act. Organizations that donate food in good faith to a nonprofit are not subject to liability on the condition of the food. Learn more about Minnesota food waste policies.
The federal tax code allows a deduction for donated food. Qualified commercial taxpayers can deduct the cost to produce the food and half the difference between the cost and full fair market value of the donated food.
Speak with a tax professional to learn more.