Model State Law on Reducing Food Waste in K–12 Public Schools

K–12 public schools are a major—and often overlooked—front in the effort to reduce food waste in the United States. Each year, substantial waste is generated from the nearly five billion lunches served to the nation's 45.4 million public school children. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that more than 20% of this food is wasted and that the amount is higher—roughly 30%—for milk and vegetables.

To help advocates and partners take action, ELI and NRDC recently released a Model State Law on Reducing Food Waste in K–12 Public Schools—a template law that can be adapted and enacted by states to advance food waste reduction. 

The Model advances the adoption of a range of evidence-based measures such as requiring schools to provide a minimum of 25 minutes of seated lunch time and encouraging schools to offer lactose-free milk and donate surplus food. The Model also provides strategies for systemic change through procurement, awareness campaigns, employee training, grants, and other measures.