There are few things more frustrating than watching food go from a lunch tray into a trash can. It’s not just precious dollars “down the drain” but also essential nutrients that won’t reach the intended beneficiaries—your students.

As school nutrition professionals know, there are many factors that contribute to food waste in the cafeteria; student acceptability, menu creation and product procurement, administrative support and nutrition department resources all play a role in addressing and mitigating food waste at school...