Hillsborough County School District Switches From Foam to Paper Lunch Trays

For Hillsborough County, the nation’s eighth-largest public school district, going green with paper lunch trays means a heck of a lot less foam in the environment and that’s the point, according to a report from the Hillsborough County School District.

“We are pleased to move beyond the conventional five-compartment foam trays to a design that is attractive, kid-friendly and green,” reported Mary Kate Harrison, the school district’s general manager for student nutrition services.

Not to miss a platform for communication, HCPSNutrition sports a Feb. 24 Tweet that reads: “We have switched from foam to paper lunch trays. They are sturdy, attractive, enviro-friendly and most importantly, students love them!"

According to school officials, the district uses, on average, 1.6 million lunch trays each month. Converting to paper trays "will remove an estimated 483,000 pounds and 289,000 cubic feet of non-biodegradable foam from the Tampa Bay area waste stream."

Here’s more news to digest, as noted online at the Hillsborough’s Student Nutrition Services Web site:

• With an $85 million budget, the district serves more than 235,000 meals each day to students and staff, making it the sixth-largest feeding program in the country. 

• Breakfast is free for all elementary and middle school students. Lunch at elementary schools costs $2.25; the cost at middle schools is 50 cents more. Other prices, plus menus, can be viewed online (click the “Nutrition Info” tab for a drop-down menu).

• Through the national school breakfast and lunch program, students can apply for free or reduced-price meals. Likewise, a summer food program is available for all students and an after-school snack program for students at selected sites. Application information online.

• The school district’s Campus Celebrations catering service provides food for special events, such as retirement receptions, athletic banquets and student award programs.

• Student Nutrition Services has offices at 2920 N. 40th Street in Tampa. For information, call: 813-840-7092.