An important objective of the Food For Thought project is to reinforce the idea of a healthy body and a healthy
environment in all aspects of our school program. A very visible and relevant way to do this is by developing an
effort to achieve zero waste associated with the school lunch program.

Food For Thought’s goal is to:

Develop educational materials in English and Spanish for parents that
provide suggestions for healthy packed lunches that also achieve zero waste.

Develop a program aimed at students at each school that empowers them to
take the lead in efforts to reduce solid waste through trash separation and
utilization of salad bar green waste for worm bins for the school garden.

Develop a workshop for OUSD purchasing personnel, administrators and
support staff to brainstorm ways to reduce solid waste associated with the
                school lunch program at all schools in the District.

So far, we’ve started a worm bin program for all OUSD 2nd grade classes, and students seem to get a real kick
out of the wiggly critters while learning important lessons about waste management. Harvested worms go back
into school garden boxes.