RELEASE: Community Leaders Celebrate Healthier School Cafeterias
As students at five local charter schools head back-to-school this year, their "Conscious Cafeterias" are healthier and more environmentally friendly
INDIANAPOLIS -- City officials, community partners, and educational leaders today showcased the transformative efforts in improving school lunch programs across Indianapolis at Purdue Polytechnic High School - Englewood. Photos from the event are included below. Schools are participating in Ahimsa's Conscious Cafeteria Project, a program focused on transitioning from single-use plastic trays and utensils to reusable steel and taking a comprehensive approach to promoting sustainability and healthier practices in school cafeterias.
"The Conscious Cafeteria Project is a critical step in ensuring our students have access to nutritious meals and safe materials that not only support their health but also contribute to a more sustainable environment," said Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas. "The collaboration between our schools, local organizations, and businesses exemplifies the power of community in driving positive change."
This transition is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and waste at the following five mayor-sponsored charter schools:
Purdue Polytechnic High School - Englewood
Purdue Polytechnic High School - Broad Ripple
IN Math & Science Academy West
Victory College Prep
Bethel Park Elementary
This effort also aligns with the American Academy of Pediatrics' formal policy recommendations to avoid plastic due to its negative health effects on a child's growing brain and body. This motivated local Riley pediatrician, Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, to found Ahimsa - a line of stainless steel foodware for school cafeterias.
"For decades, school lunch trays haven't changed--they're still mostly disposable or old hard plastic, leaching harmful chemicals into our children's food and posing real health risks," said Dr. Mantravadi. "I'm tired of always treating diseases in kids and watching society teach children about ocean cleanups to combat plastic. We need to go upstream and prevent these medical and environmental issues with healthier nutrition and reuse in their everyday lives."
In addition, Purdue Polytechnic High School is also part of the PataSchool initiative, which implements scratch cooking to enhance the quality of school meals. Currently, PataSchool provides more than 250,000 meals each year to 1,500 students around Indianapolis.
The reusable steel foodware and dishwashing services for the schools are made possible by the generous support of Cummins, which has also contributed employee engagement days in schools to foster career conversations and a sense of community.
As part of the Conscious Cafeteria Project, 15 elementary schools from across the country have embarked on a national pilot study to transition to reusable stainless steel trays in 2024. Initial reports developed by reuse agency Upstream demonstrate overwhelming evidence of environmental and economic benefits to the schools, including average annual savings of:
More than $2,800 in total cost savings
3,300 pounds of waste eliminated
73,747 single-use items eliminated
9,747 gallons of water saved
More than 19 tons in carbon savings (equal to taking 1,680 cars off the road for a day)
More than $1,000 in waste hauling savings
Reusable cafeteria foodware is also an opportunity for environmental equity; at one pilot school in Indianapolis, 70% of students eat breakfast and lunch at school and 100% are on free or reduced lunch. As lower-income families are more likely to live in over-polluted, under-resourced neighborhoods, the Conscious Cafeterias Project is providing vulnerable populations with critical access to healthier, cleaner options.
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About Ahimsa:
Ahimsa is committed to promoting sustainable and health-conscious practices in school cafeterias, focusing on the use of reusable steel foodware and high-quality meals. Founded by a Riley pediatrician, Ahimsa aligns with the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations to avoid plastic due to its adverse health effects.
About the Patachou Foundation:
The Patachou Foundation aims to provide healthy meals to students and educate communities about the importance of good nutrition through initiatives like Pataschool, which implements scratch cooking in schools.
About Cummins:
Cummins Inc. is a global power leader that designs, manufactures, sells, and services diesel and alternative fuel engines and related technologies. Cummins is dedicated to improving communities through sustainable practices and innovative partnerships.