REDUCING FOOD WASTE IN NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mirna Hoosein

336Q @ 439 District 27 Pre-K Center

mhoosein@schools.nyc.gov

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1. Define the Problem
2. Gather the Evidence
3. Identify the Causes
4. Evaluate an Existing Policy
5. Develop Solutions
6. Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)

The Six Steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA)

Step 1: Define the Problem

It’s unacceptable to have so many people in New York City go hungry

when so much food is being

wasted in New York City

Public Schools.

How can we help?

Step 1: Define the Problem

Step 2: Gather the Evidence

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How can we gather evidence to support our problem?

Step 3: Identify the Causes

What are the causes of the food waste problem in New York City Schools?

• Too much food is served in schools
• Students prefer to eat their home food
• Students don’t like the school food
• Students don’t have enough time to eat
• Students are not “that hungry,” during lunch
• Schools or students do not recycle food
• Schools are limited when trying to donate food

Step 4: Evaluate an Existing Policy

Step 4: Evaluate an Existing Policy

Encouraging schools to reduce food waste has helped some schools teach their students about the importance of reducing food waste in New York City.

While New York City government officials have implemented some policies and eco-friendly programs to reduce food waste in public schools, there is still a lot more work to be done.

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Let’s be proactive and ensure that 100% of New York City Public Schools become part of the “Clean & Green Schools” Program.

Step 4: Evaluate an Existing Policy

How can we improve the current policies and programs to reduce food waste in New York City Public Schools?

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• Introduce and implement the “Clean & Green Schools,” Program in all NY City Schools.
• Reach out to city officials and have them visit schools to ensure that ALL schools are taking the steps to reduce food waste in their schools.
• Create a system with the Food Bank For New York City to help schools donate excess food to reduce food waste.

Step 5: Develop Solutions

How can we improve the current policies and programs to reduce food waste in New York City Public Schools?

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• Create a “Clean & Green Schools,” team to help schools who are unsure how to start the program or what their “Next Steps,” should be.
• Reach out to the community and teach families how to become part of the “Clean & Green Schools,” team.

Step 5: Develop Solutions

Step 5: Develop Solutions

Step 6: Select the Best Solution

Introduce and implement the “Clean & Green Schools,” Program in all NY City Schools.

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Reach out to city officials and have them visit schools to ensure that ALL schools are taking the steps to reduce food waste in their schools.

Step 6: Select the Best Solution

Create a system with the Food Bank For New York City to help schools donate excess food to reduce food waste.

Step 6: Select the Best Solution

Create a “Clean & Green Schools,” Team and reach out to the community to become part of the “Clean & Green Schools,” Team.

Resources

Emergency food in NYC. (n.d.). Data Team. https://council.nyc.gov/data/emergency-food-in-nyc/#:~:text=New%20York%20City%E2%80%99s%20residents%20make%20up%2050%25%20of,with%20hunger%2C%20and%20of%20them%20596%2C060%20are%20children.

NBC New York. (2023, January 24). NYC teens fight hunger & food waste amid rising grocery prices [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8T_4j-YMa8

NYC Department of Sanitation, NYC Public Schools, & GrowNYC’s Zero Waste Schools Program. (2023). NYC Guide to Clean & Green Schools [Report]. https://dsny.cityofnewyork.us/wp-content/uploads/reports/nyc-guide-clean-green-schools.pdf

Zero waste schools. (2024, February 26). GrowNYC. https://www.grownyc.org/zerowasteschools#:~:text=Climate%20benefits%3A%201%20It%27s%20estimated%20that%20food%20waste,out%20of%20state%20via%20truck%2C%20rail%2C%20or%20barge.

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