Granville Schools is supporting the local Community Plates effort to channel unused food from the school garden and kitchens to people in need.
Community Plates’ mission is to end hunger in America by directly transferring fresh, usable food that would otherwise be thrown away by restaurants, markets and other food industry sources to hungry families.
This nonprofit organization, based in Columbus, utilizes a GoRescue mobile phone app to direct volunteers – known as food runners – who pick up unused perishable food and deliver it to nearby food pantries and soup kitchens. Most runs are designed to take about 15 minutes and volunteers participate according to their own schedule.
Because AVI Fresh prepares daily meals from scratch, Chef Jonathan Harbaugh said donations will include items like milk with a weekend expiration date and chips that expire over a school break. These food items will no longer go to waste.
Science Teacher Jim Reding, who also coordinates the school garden, is looking forward to sharing extra vegetables over the summer.
“During the peak grown season, there are always extra tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini beyond what we can sell,” Mr. Reding said.
To join the Community Plates effort as a food donor, food runner or partner (receiving) agency, visit communityplates.org and select “Join Us.”