At WCSD Nutrition Services, we recognize the importance of sustainable practices and are committed to reducing our environmental impact while continuing to provide nutritious meals to our students. Our efforts align with both the district’s broader sustainability initiatives and the expertise of Aramark Student Nutrition, allowing us to implement meaningful changes that benefit our schools and community. From eliminating harmful products in our cafeterias to exploring more efficient waste reduction strategies, we are actively working toward a greener, more responsible future. This page will serve as a hub for updates on our sustainability initiatives, showcasing completed projects, ongoing efforts, and long-term goals. We'll also share resources and further information on the importance of these initiatives in our community.

We are proud to be part of a community that values environmental responsibility, and look forward to sharing our progress as we continue to build a more sustainable school nutrition program.

HOW WE'RE MAKING AN IMPACT
For more information on our efforts, you can download a detailed action plan and progress report, highlighting some of our continued initiatives.
• Local Partnerships & Sourcing – Prioritizing Nevada dairies and farms to support the economy and promote fresher, more sustainable food options.
• Energy & Water Efficiency – Training staff on conservation techniques and optimizing kitchen equipment maintenance for maximum energy savings.
• Recycling Efforts – Each month, we recycle:
       • 60-100 wooden pallets (Sierra Pallet)
       • Up to 18,000 lbs. of cardboard (Green Planet 21)
       • 1 ton of tin & metal (Western Metals Recycling LLC)

RECENT SUSTAINABILITY ACHIEVEMENTS
✔️ Styrofoam-Free Cafeterias – Eliminated all Styrofoam trays and packaging, preventing 5.7 million trays from heading to landfills each year.
✔️ Reduced Single-Use Plastics – Eliminated 4 million plastic milk straws and wrappers annually, while shifting toward BPA-free and paper-based trays.
✔️ Local Sourcing – 25% of our produce is sourced within 250 miles of WCSD, reducing transportation emissions and supporting regional agriculture.
✔️ Food Waste Reduction – 60% of schools have implemented share tables, allowing students to donate unopened, uneaten food to others instead of throwing it away.
✔️ Lower Emissions – Improved delivery truck efficiency, cutting fuel consumption by 10% and reducing emissions by 20%.
✔️ Community Food Redistribution – Partnered with local food banks and organizations to re-purpose surplus food and supplies, benefiting families in need.

LOOKING AHEAD: FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
We are always looking for new ways to enhance sustainability and reduce our environmental footprint. With the successful elimination of Styrofoam in our cafeterias, we are now turning our attention to several key initiatives that will further our commitment to waste reduction, responsible sourcing, and environmentally friendly operations.

Among our upcoming efforts, we are assessing and addressing student cutlery options, with a pilot program for reusable cutlery set to launch soon at select elementary schools. By moving away from pre-packaged spork kits, we aim to eliminate over 15 million plastic utensils each year. We are also working to minimize food waste by expanding our use of share tables—currently in place at 60% of our schools—to encourage food recovery and redistribution. Additionally, we are incorporating green cleaning solutions into our operations, reducing reliance on chemical-based cleaners with EPA-certified and environmentally responsible alternatives.

These initiatives, alongside our continued local sourcing efforts and waste reduction programs, reflect our dedication to aligning with both district-wide sustainability goals and Aramark Student Nutrition’s environmental commitments. By taking these steps, we are ensuring a more sustainable, responsible future for our students, schools, and community.

JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
While our department will continue sourcing options to enhance our sustainability efforts, there are also practices you can enact on your own and share with your students so that they can be more conscientious about use and waste. To empower our community to contribute to our sustainability efforts, we've curated a selection of valuable resources:

• Use share tables to reduce food waste. The majority of our school sites offer these, and they're a great way for students to help reduce food waste while ensuring more food goes to those who want it. Instead of throwing away unopened, uneaten food items from their school meals, students can place them on the share table for others to enjoy. This simple act helps minimize waste, promotes food recovery, and encourages a culture of sharing in our schools. Ask the kitchen manager at your school if there's a share table in your cafeteria, and encourage your student to utilize it.

• EPA's Educating Youth About Wasted Food. This resource emphasizes the importance of involving children in food planning and management to instill sustainable habits early on.

• Green Teacher's Downloadable Activities. Contains over 100 activities on various green themes, suitable for different age groups, to promote environmental education

• Green Schools National Network's Education for Sustainability Resource Directory provides a compilation of age-appropriate lessons and activities designed for virtual learning, focusing on various aspects of sustainability. 

• US PIRG's 10 Tips to Reduce Food Waste in Your Child's School Lunch offers practical advice for parents and students to minimize food waste, including consulting with children about their lunch preferences and packing proper portions.

• Providing feedback & ideas for more sustainable school meal options. Sustainability is a shared effort, and listening to feedback from our students, staff, and families is essential in shaping meaningful, effective initiatives. By understanding the needs, concerns, and ideas of our community, we can implement best practices that are both practical and impactful. Whether it’s identifying ways to reduce waste, exploring reusable options, or improving food recovery programs, community input helps us make informed decisions that create lasting, positive change. Together, we can build a more sustainable future that reflects the values and priorities of those we serve.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue making progress toward these important goals!