Spring 2023 Sustainability Fellows: Susan Morales & Jason Klein
Partner: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
Project: Food Waste Prevention, Reduction, and Recycling at K-12 Schools
Students: Susan Morales and Jason Klein
In Spring 2023, Susan and Jason collaborated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to support Leon County K-12 schools in implementing a food waste program for their cafeterias.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the state's lead agency for environmental management and stewardship, joined forces with Susan and Jason to promote sustainable practices and protect the environment by tackling food waste in schools. Recognizing the alarming statistic that 40% of all food produced in the United States goes to waste, they saw an excellent opportunity to address this issue by focusing on reducing food waste in educational institutions.
Jason, a student majoring in Environment and Society, was drawn to the Sustainability Fellows program due to his deep interest in sustainability and conservation. Believing that children hold the key to a sustainable future, he saw this fellowship as an opportunity to instill values of recycling and waste reduction from a young age. Jason's dedication to the cause aligned perfectly with his academic pursuits and future aspirations.
Coming from a background in sociology and women's studies, Susan brought a unique social science perspective to the table. Understanding the importance of inclusivity and intersectionality in community initiatives, Susan emphasized the need to ensure that their approach to sustainability was accessible and relevant to all. Her experience in planning and communication, demonstrated through her leadership roles, made her a valuable asset to the project.
The primary goal of the project was to inform students about the importance of reducing food waste, donating unused food to address food insecurity, and implementing recycling, digestion, or on-site composting to divert food waste from landfills. Initially, the plan involved assessing current food waste prevention measures and creating a model for schools to adopt. However, due to limited responses from schools, the project was adapted.
Susan and Jason pivoted their approach and focused on creating a hub of resources that students, teachers, and administrators could utilize to incorporate food waste prevention education and measures into their schools. To achieve this, they designed a website that would serve as a centralized platform for accessing relevant resources and information.
Reflecting on the experience, Jason shared, "I enjoyed the opportunity to learn about a topic (food waste prevention) that I had little knowledge about. I also really enjoyed being able to work with the team at FDEP since it gave me insight into what it is like to have a job relating to sustainability."
Reducing food waste has far-reaching benefits. By diverting food waste from landfills, we can reduce the emission of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change at a rate 25 times higher than carbon dioxide. Moreover, it saves money, enhances the efficiency of the agri-food sector, and conserves energy and resources, thereby preventing pollution associated with food production and distribution.
Implementing food waste prevention measures in schools not only fosters responsible environmental stewardship but also addresses food insecurity. When schools have the necessary resources and support to integrate food waste prevention into their curriculum and daily practices, significant reductions in food waste can be achieved. This, in turn, ensures that food is made available to those in need rather than being wasted.
Chris Perry, a Planner at FDEP, commended Susan and Jason's efforts, stating, "Susan and Jason have been a great team, and we are looking forward to incorporating their efforts into our education and outreach for the newly updated K-12 recycling curriculum."
Susan and Jason's collaboration with FDEP highlights the power of addressing food waste in educational institutions. By empowering students, teachers, and administrators with resources and knowledge, they pave the way for a more sustainable future.
To learn more about the Sustainability Fellows program, visit sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/sustainability-fellows.