Memphis, TN – On the morning of Tuesday, May 6, Scenic Hills Elementary celebrated the launch of its new share table with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, in partnership with Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ (MSCS) Nutrition Department, Clean Memphis, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

A share table is a designated space in the cafeteria where students can place or take additional food items that would otherwise go to waste. Acceptable items include unopened milk cartons, whole fruits, or sealed snacks. 

Pete Pearson, Global Initiative Lead for Food Loss and Waste at the World Wildlife Fund, opened the event with inspiring remarks about the importance of reducing food waste. “Growing food requires a huge sacrifice – land, water, energy, and farming,” said Pearson. He highlighted how agriculture impacts nature and emphasized the power of collective action. “One school is making a change … imagine if 100,000 schools did the same.” 

Students contributed to the event by presenting posters they created to raise awareness about the share table initiative. Brian, a fourth grader, shared, “If we waste food, we are wasting the farmer’s love.” A fifth-grade student added, “When people waste food, they waste money. We waste the farmer’s time.” These messages reflect the core values being taught to reduce food waste from an early age.

Michelle Cowan, Director of Education and Community Partnerships for Clean Memphis, also addressed attendees. She shared insights from a recent food waste survey conducted at Scenic Hills, which revealed two key findings:

• Students don’t fully understand the “offer versus serve” model,  which requires choosing at least three out of five food groups during lunch.
• A significant number of sealed items are being discarded, underscoring the need for share tables. 

“These insights are crucial for the MSCS Nutrition Department as they identify what foods students are most likely to leave uneaten,” Cowan said. “I followed Principal (Jami) Fowler-White from Bruce Elementary when we launched the Clean Memphis environmental book club – she holds a special place in my heart.”

Students shared how the initiative is already making a difference. “It feels good to start a share table because we aren’t wasting any kind of food and saving it for others,” said Tierrah, a fifth grader. Torrei-Lynn, a third grader, added, “Since I don’t eat all of my food, so other people can have it.” From an early age, students are learning the importance of food waste. These reflections show how students are developing empathy and environmental awareness at a young age.

Dr. Terrence Brittenum, MSCS Network 7 Leader, emphasized the broader impact of the share table initiative. “It is important that our students have access to healthy and nutritious meals,” he said, noting that many students face food insecurity.

Three other schools – Sea Isle Elementary, W.H. Brewster Elementary, and Compass Berclair – are set to launch their own share tables, expanding the effort to reduce food waste and support students across the district.

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