Statement regarding the collection of unused fruit and milk

We have received some correspondence regarding what happens to unconsumed whole fruit. The Burlington Township School District and Food Service Department are committed to transparency and providing our families with information.

The 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act changed many of the requirements of what is offered in our cafeterias and what children are required to take with their breakfast or lunch in order to receive the federal reimbursement. We are required to offer whole fruit as one of the options in our cafeteria. Unfortunately, sometimes students do not want the fruit that they must take with their breakfast or lunch. Instead of throwing away fruit and milk that is still consumable, we instruct the students to put the food in a special collection area. This has been the practice since the implementation of the new regulations. Once these items are washed and inspected, they are offered to food banks to be picked up and used at their discretion. The practice is that these items are NOT placed back into the serving line for other students to purchase with their meal. However, in an effort to help combat hunger in our area, the items are offered to other organizations where they could possibly help someone in need. If we do not do this, these unwanted items would be discarded either in the trash or composting instead of being offered to food banks to be used at their discretion.