CONTACT: Pavi’Elle Phillips
305-995-1334
district1@dadeschools.net

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. STEVE GALLON III

April 9, 2019

At the School Board meeting of April 17, 2019, District 1 School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III will proffer Board item H-3, elimination of food waste and the exploration of food sharing programs.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is committed to the education of its students, as well as to supporting and empowering families and members of the community. In doing so, abating and eliminating poverty and hunger are significant ways to improve the quality of life of a community, especially among its children. This is especially invaluable in Miami-Dade County where over seventy-percent of children and families live in poverty and whose school-aged students qualify for free and/or reduced meals.

While research has shown that food wasted by children is similar to the rest of the U.S. population, Dr. Gallon believes that there are many ways M-DCPS’ schools can reduce food waste and teach students about the impact it has on the environment and in their community. District schools can play a special role in not only reducing, recovering, and recycling food waste on their premises, but also in educating the next generation about recovering wholesome excess food for donation and about reducing food waste to conserve natural resources.

Through this item, Dr. Gallon seeks to direct the Superintendent to research initiatives, programs, and strategies to reduce food waste, teach students about the impact food waste has on the environment and in their community, and to develop partnerships with local groups and organizations to provide food for families and members of the community. He also seeks to establish this effort as a pilot program in each of the nine voting districts in M-DCPS for the 2019-2020 school year, beginning no later than the second semester of the 2019-2020 school year.

To read the full item, Click the link below:

http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/agenda/h3.pdf