A local group of activists called the Green Team is trying to pressure the WCSD Board to have healthier and less wasteful meals in our schools ahead of its upcoming Tuesday 2 p.m. meeting.
Here’s a message they are asking the community to spread:
“On Agenda item 2.10, they will vote on the fourth and last year of the 4 year contract between WCSD and 'Aramark Educational Service' to serve school meals. The Green Team has been talking with the district about providing more freshly-prepared meals in reusable dishware so as to ensure our children get nutritiously fed without exposure to the toxins of single-use plastic, to reduce foodwaste with a composting system, and to reduce the radical amount of single-use trash going into our landfills.
We encourage public comment before this meeting in order to continue pressing the district to make the necessary shifts. Here is a suggestion, to be used/edited by you as you see fit:
Email Subject Line: Agenda item 2.10, Aramark Contract
Email public comment to: publiccomments@washoeschools.net
Email Board of Trustees: BoardMembers@washoeschools.net
“Thank you to the board for its hard work and commitment to our children. I identify with a growing number of parents and citizens across the district extremely concerned about the toxicity of plastics, processed food in school meals, and waste.
I ask that the WCSD amend its contract with Aramark and any other future vendor to incorporate clear policies of sustainability and health, pertaining to how school meals are prepared and served to our children. Currently, school meals in the WCSD, much of which is highly processed, is served and heated in plastic packaging and served with single-use foodware including styrofoam, thereby creating a dramatic amount of toxicity and waste in our district.
Please establish in future contracts with vendors conditions to integrate reusable dishware, and facilities for dishwashing, scratch cooking and composting. There is plenty of evidence of recoup on such vital investments, and WCSD has the opportunity here to lead. I also ask that individual public schools be allowed to subcontract with a catering company of choice, just like charter schools.
Respectfully submitted, concerned parent."
Please send 'Public Comment' by Tues May 28 by 1:30pm latest!”