Inspiring IPS Students to Solve Food Waste In Schools

Today I had the pleasure of talking with a science class at Shortridge High School about Food Rescue--why it is important and how to launch a program. Students in Mr. Brady's class are working on the Climate Recovery Initiative with our good friends at Earth Charter Indiana. A group of students wanted to tackle food waste which is how we got involved. The exciting thing about talking with students is the possibility of lighting that fire that leads to real change. 

That's the thing. Real change is possible. From the kids sitting in this very classroom. Not only can they change the culture of food waste within their own school walls, they can lead the charge across the Indianapolis Public Schools district and well beyond. A video or a blog post from one of these students could inspire someone in Utah to do the same in their school. Then they inspire someone else, and someone else, and someone else and off goes the chain reaction! What happens is wholesome food will feed someone in need instead of clogging up a landfill and turning into methane gas which harms the earth. Kids get this. Kids want to do this!

There was one young man in the class I spoke with today that is pretty fired up about getting Food Rescue going at Shortridge. He had a lot of really good questions about how to launch a program and more importantly how to keep it going. This is what it takes. While it is imperative to get the support of school leaders, I believe it's equally if not more important to get buy-in from students. They will solve this problem if we give them the resources and the room to do it. Right next door to Shortridge is The Butler Lab School which is also working on launching a Food Rescue program. It is really exciting to me to think about the mentoring possibilities the high school could have with the younger kids at the elementary level. I am also fully expecting the older kids to learn a thing or two from their younger counterparts. I can't wait to see what comes out of these exceptional young leaders! My challenge for you today is to check out the getting started page at k12FoodRescue.com. Do you know of a teacher or a student who can lead the Food Rescue effort in their school? It's time to stop wishing and start doing!
-Jennifer Carmack-Brilliant 
Food Rescue Lead Program Director