Food waste has negative social, environmental, and economical impacts. It is estimated that about 20% of all food produced is wasted in the EU every year - and school canteens even throw away up to 70% of their prepared meals. The foodCIRCUS project works with schools to minimize this food waste. It promotes food waste prevention, and explores innovative circular methods like repurposing waste for insect feeding or generating lactic acid for bioplastics. Their approaches have the potential to revolutionise waste management in schools to make them more sustainable.