SoWashCo Nutrition Services to Pilot Food Rescue Program
SoWashCo Nutrition Services to Pilot Food Rescue Program
Beginning Monday, Oct. 21, SoWashCo Nutrition Services will begin a Food Rescue pilot program at five SoWashCo schools, East Ridge High School, Oltman Middle School and Crestview, Grey Cloud, and Hillside elementary schools. With the state-funded Free School Meals program in place, the district served 2.7 million meals during the 2023-24 school year, a 10% increase from the previous year. However, this increase has also led to more food waste. To ensure the safety of all students, particularly those with severe food allergies, uneaten food cannot be redistributed in our schools. To cut down on waste and address food insecurity, SoWashCo Nutrition Services teamed up with the local non-profit Basic Needs to start the Food Rescue pilot program.
Collections carts will be available in the cafeteria for students to drop off unwanted, unconsumed foods. To ensure food safety, acceptable food items are limited to:
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Whole pieces of fruit that have a skin or peel
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Unheated, shelf-stable wrapped grain items
Nutrition Services staff will sort and store the items for Basic Needs volunteers to pick up. Food is available during the week at the free Basic Needs Food Market (8475 East Point Douglas Road, Ste. 106 in Cottage Grove) on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Tuesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food is also available on the weekends at the Basic Needs Free Little Pantry in the Park Grove Library. Nearly 10% of residents in Washington County worry about running out of food before they can afford more. Please encourage families facing food insecurity to visit the free market or pantry for help.
Learn more about the Basic Need Food Market or become a food rescue volunteer at basicneedsmn.org/food-market.