Does a significant percentage of school meals wind up in the trash?

YES

A 2019 study of school cafeteria food waste found that 27% to 53% of the food served in an American school cafeteria was thrown away. These results are similar to other studies of American cafeteria food waste. Among other nations in the study, so-called plate waste accounted for 23% of total food served in Sweden, 20% to 29% in Italy, and 30% in Spain.

Another study estimates American schools waste approximately 530,000 tons of food annually — about 39 pounds of food waste and 29 cartons of milk per student per year — costing $1.7 billion nationally. The study also showed that nominal interventions can measurably reduce food waste.

The 2023 Nevada Legislature is considering a bill to expand the state’s free school breakfast and lunch program to all students, regardless of family income. The expanded program would cost $50 million annually. 

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