Food Waste Reduction

Are you interested in being a Share Table Champion? Anyone – student, parent, teacher, staff member – can be a Share Table Champion. This champion works with the principal and school dining manager to:

• Select an appropriate location in the lunchroom that is visible and accessible
• Determine how Share Table items will be kept cool and how surplus will be handled (re-served in future meals or moved to another area of the school for distribution and consumption within the school).
• Secure necessary supplies, including containers, a table or cart, signage, hand sanitizer, and ice blankets.

The champion supports the program by:

• Setting up a Share Table in the lunchroom and ensuring smooth daily operations
• Monitoring food items to verify they are wholesome, sealed, and appropriate for sharing
• Encouraging student participation and building awareness of the program
• Tapping into technical assistance and connecting with other Share Table champions across the District

• Uneaten whole fruit such as apples, bananas, oranges, or pears
• Uneaten, unopened factory-sealed food such as crackers, granola, or apple slices
• Cold items such as milk, cheese sticks, yogurt, if kept cool on ice blankets
• Wrapped peanut butter/nut butter alternative and deli sandwiches

• Hot foods
• Foods from home
• Foods that are bitten into
• Packaged foods that are opened 
• Items in re-openable packaging such as salads in clamshell containers or sliced cucumber in a plastic bag

CPS provides comprehensive support materials for schools implementing Share Tables:

• Share Table Standard Operating Procedure
• Share Table Quick Implementation Guide
• Share Table Training Materials
• Share Table Signs