The Department of Agriculture stresses the importance of careful menu planning and production practices in the lunch and breakfast programs to reduce food waste and improve consumption of healthy foods. But even with careful planning, there can be excess food from time to time. USDA strongly encourages schools to donate leftover foods to appropriate nonprofit institutions provided this practice is not prohibited by State or local laws or regulations. Food donation has been a longstanding policy in all Child Nutrition Programs. This 2016 webinar includes four presentations:
- USDA Guidance on School Food Donation – Jimmy Nguyen, USDA
- Open Letter to School Administrators – John Williamson, K-12 Food Rescue
- Food Recovery Partnerships, Melissa Terry, U. Arkansas
- Matching Excess and Need, Maria Rose Belding, Means Database
