Recuperación de Alimentos
Our team at the FDACS Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness can assist your school in reducing student food waste.
This can help cut down on trash pick-up costs, create a greater respect for and understanding of food, and protect our environment. Find guidance and educational materials through the School Food Waste Reduction Tool Kit and additional resources below.
Reducing Food Waste Creating Share Tables Recolección de los Restos de la Cosecha Compost
Reducing Student Food Waste
K-12 schools play a special role in reducing, recovering and recycling food waste on their premises. They also play an important role in educating the next generation about recovering wholesome excess food.
Learn more about Reducing Food Waste at K-12 Schools (USDA).
How Florida Schools Take on Food Waste
The 2025 Food Recovery Annual Survey Results are in! This report highlights how schools across Florida are reducing food waste, recovering surplus food and creating more sustainable meal programs. From innovative practices to measurable impact, it highlights insights and inspiration for anyone involved in school nutrition or sustainability.
Auditorías de residuos de alimentos
Student Food Waste Audits engage students, teachers and cafeteria staff to raise awareness about food wasted in school cafeterias and promote more nutritious eating habits while reducing waste.
Obtenga más información sobre cómo realizar una Auditorías de Desperdicios de Alimentos de Estudiantes:
- Auditorías de Desperdicios de Alimentos de Estudiantes (inglés)
- Auditorías de Desperdicios de Alimentos (español)
Explore Recursos de Recuperación de Alimentos en las Escuelas:
Desvíe los Desperdicios con Donaciones de Alimentos
Developing a food waste diversion program at your school can be easy. We’ve created a step-by-step guide to walk you through every step of the process.
Relevant Laws
Keep in mind, there are laws in place to protect you and your school when you donate apparently wholesome foods. Review these rules before donating:
Starting a Share Table
Share Tables help reduce food waste in K–12 schools by allowing students to leave or take unopened food and drinks they don’t want. Others can then enjoy these items during or after meals at no cost.
Obtenga más información sobre cómo Mesa Compartida en su escuela:
- Lista de Verificación de la Implementación Mesas Compartidas
- Cartel de Mesas Compartidas (Inglés)
- Cartel de Mesas Compartidas (español)
Conozca más acerca de por qué el Servicio de Alimentos y Nutrición (FNS) del Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) fomenta la redistribución de alimentos.
¿Qué es la Recolección?
Gleaning is the act of collecting surplus fresh food from farms, markets, gardens, grocers and other sources to prevent waste and help feed those in need.
Excursiones de Recolección
As part of Florida Farm to School, FDACS partners with gleaning organizations to coordinate farm field trips where students collect surplus produce. This food can be used for taste tests and donations. Through gleaning field trips, students develop a greater respect for and understanding of food.
Learn more about incorporating gleaning field trips in your schools:
To schedule a gleaning event or to learn more, please contact [email protected] or 850-617-7440.
Make sure you understand the laws that apply when donating gleaned foods. Review laws in English or Spanish.
Compost
Composting turns food and other organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. Because food is the largest type of landfill waste, using your food waste to create nutrient-dense soil instead helps protect natural resources and supports a healthier environment.
El compostaje ayuda a:
- Mejorar la retención de agua del suelo
- Organismos de apoyo en el suelo
- Desarrollar la estructura de nutrientes del suelo
- Alimentar las plantas sin utilizar fertilizantes químicos
Local Composting Resources
- Contact your local agriculture extension or city for localized tips and in-person assistance.
- Download our Composting in Schools quick guide in English y Spanish for more information.
- Not ready to start your own compost pile? No problem! Find local resources and community partners.
How to Compost at Your School
- Informe a su director y/o al personal del distrito escolar y personal del comedor que su escuela tiene planes de construir una pila de compost.
- Elija un lugar sombreado o un lugar con suficiente espacio para construir un recinto.
- Afloje el suelo donde se sentará la pila.
- Coloque una fina capa de palos para permitir el drenaje.
- Prepare una mezcla diversa de ingredientes para asegurar una variedad de nutrientes.
- Chop ingredients into 3-inch pieces and layer, alternating between green and brown ingredients.
- Riegue la pila hasta que esté húmeda.
- Cubrir con hojas secas o paja para mantener la humedad.
A traditional compost bin is easy to set up and great for turning garden waste and kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost over time with minimal maintenance.
A tumbler compost bin speeds up decomposition by making it easy to mix and aerate the compost, producing finished compost faster and with less mess.
A worm compost bin uses red wigglers to efficiently break down food scraps indoors or outdoors, creating high-quality compost and liquid fertilizer with minimal odor.