Starting this fall, FRESH (Food Recovery, Eat, Save, Help) has collected hundreds of uneaten food packages from Wachusett students during lunch. Every week, the food is brought to the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester.
“The food ends up in the backpacks of kids in low- income households,” said senior Ekaavli Daga, one of the founders of the program.
Seniors Abby Choi and Lily Staiti, the other founders, are also very passionate about food recovery. “It’s important to think of the people who are less fortunate and donate when you can,” said Staiti.
Choi agreed, “The amount of good that a few friends and a dream could bring has really fueled my love for FRESH!”
Despite having recent origins, FRESH has gained immense praise from Wachusett students. “I like the program a lot because it helps us stop wasting food,” said Senior Rahma Giwa. “A lot of people only get fruit for the free lunch, so most of it ends up in the trash. But now, the food goes to people who actually need it.”
According to the World Wildlife Fund, about 530,000 tons of food are wasted every year from schools alone. Yet simultaneously, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. face hunger. FRESH aims to address both of these issues.
During lunch, students can place uneaten packaged foods, juices, and fruit into the cooler at the back of the cafeteria. At the end of every lunch, student volunteers organize the food, and later drive it to the Boys and Girls Club.
FRESH started as a Save the World project, a yearlong action project part of AP English Language and Composition classes at Wachusett. “I did a lot of volunteering in college, and realized that it was very easy to make a huge difference,” said Ned McTigue, an AP Lang teacher who oversaw the development of FRESH. “The world wastes a ton of food and there are a lot of hungry people.Even if you can’t solve world hunger, you can still make the world a little better.”
In addition to students teachers, the Wachusett community has been very accommodating to the new program. “The Wachusett cafeteria staff have been super helpful. FRESH could not thrive without them!” said Choi. Additionally, janitors and administrators at district and high school levels have come together to bring FRESH to life.
“I’m very grateful for all the staff support!” Staiti expressed.
How can you help?
“If you have any extra food during lunch, please donate!” stressed Daga. FRESH also needs student volunteers to keep the club going, “We’re seniors, so we hope that students get involved and continue FRESH after we’re gone. Join our Google Classroom [fvw5kx4] and help us!”
