Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces that five local school districts will receive new grants to launch student-led food waste diversion programs

Monroe County, Florida – In a significant push toward environmental sustainability, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello has announced that five local school districts will receive targeted funding to launch or enhance student-driven food waste reduction initiatives. The newly awarded Food Waste Diversion Pilot Program grants are aimed at promoting environmental education while tackling a growing issue in schools: wasted food.

The districts set to benefit from the program are Brighton, Fairport, Penfield, Pittsford, and West Irondequoit. Each of these districts submitted compelling proposals outlining how they intend to reduce food waste, with a focus on educating students about composting, tracking waste, and adopting eco-conscious habits that extend far beyond the lunchroom.

“I want to thank these districts for taking an active role in educating our young people on environmental stewardship and reducing waste in landfills,” said County Executive Bello. “Engaging students in developing solutions to school food waste will not only give them a broader understanding of the challenge of reducing greenhouse gases, but will allow them to see the impact of their efforts first-hand.”

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School cafeterias have long been identified as hotspots for food waste. A study from Penn State University recently reported that between 27% and 53% of food served in schools ends up uneaten and discarded. This sobering statistic underscores the urgent need for programs like Monroe County’s pilot initiative, which encourages students and staff to rethink how food is managed, consumed, and disposed of.

The grants come as part of Phase II of the Monroe County Climate Action Plan, a larger effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by local residents, businesses, and organizations. The Food Waste Diversion Pilot Program zeroes in on schools as both a challenge and an opportunity. By reaching students early, officials hope to instill lifelong habits that benefit the environment and support local sustainability goals.

“Food waste has long been cited as one of the largest waste streams generated by educational institutions,” said Department of Environmental Services Director Mike Garland. “The Department of Environmental Services is honored to award this funding to enhance environmental stewardship and the existing recycling programs in these five school districts. The efforts the students and staff will undertake with the methods they employ will divert organic waste from landfills and sewers, teach the next generation to care for the environment and assist in the development of local, environmentally-based green businesses.”

Each of the five districts has tailored their initiatives to fit the specific needs and capabilities of their schools, all while putting students in leadership roles. This student-centered approach is seen as a powerful method of reinforcing lessons about sustainability by letting young people take ownership of the solutions.

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“By involving students in creating solutions to school food waste, we’re helping them gain a deeper understanding of the role everyday actions play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Monroe County Legislator Susan Hughes-Smith. “As Chair of the County Legislature’s Environment and Public Works Committee, I could not be more thrilled to see these programs come to fruition. Through these combined efforts and innovative practices, organic waste will be redirected away from landfills and wastewater systems, resulting in a cleaner and healthier community here in Monroe County.”

“To heal our world, we must listen to the voices of our youngest citizens and follow their lead. This program does exactly that,” added Monroe County Legislator John Baynes.

The grant recipients include a mix of existing sustainability champions and schools that are just beginning to roll out structured food waste diversion programs.

“On behalf of the Brighton Central School District, I want to extend my sincere thanks to Monroe County for awarding us funding through its Food Waste Diversion Program,” said Brighton Superintendent Kevin McGowan. “This funding will support our existing composting program and strengthen our ongoing efforts to divert waste from landfills and operate more sustainably. Composting sends a powerful message to our students and the entire Brighton community about the importance of limiting waste and being mindful of our environmental impact. We are proud to be part of a community that values sustainability and invests in a greener future for the next generation.”

Brighton has already laid a solid foundation with its composting efforts, and the new funding will help deepen that work. Meanwhile, other districts like Fairport are eager to build on the environmental practices they’ve begun to explore.

“We are grateful for the Food Waste Diversion grant from Monroe County. As a district we appreciate the County’s vision behind the grant and are looking forward to building upon the sustainability efforts we are currently undertaking in Fairport with these funds,” said Superintendent Brett Provenzano.

In Penfield, students are taking the lead through their Environmental Club, which is preparing to launch a new composting initiative.

“We are honored to have been selected to be part of this funding partnership with Monroe County. Our Environmental Club students are thrilled for the chance to turn their vision into action by launching a composting program at Penfield High School. This support empowers them to make a real difference in our school and community,” said Penfield Superintendent Dr. Tasha Potter.

The district of Pittsford is also moving ahead with a pilot composting effort focused on one of its elementary schools.

“The Pittsford Central School District is delighted to receive this important matching grant from the County of Monroe for a pilot food waste diversion program at one of our elementary schools,” said Superintendent Michael Pero. “Our students are leading the way in recycling, and these funds will further their goals by educating them about composting and diverting food scraps and waste.”

Finally, West Irondequoit is placing a special emphasis on integrating the initiative into broader educational experiences.

“We’re grateful to Monroe County for this grant, which will help us reduce food waste while engaging students in real-world lessons about sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Superintendent Aaron Johnson. “This initiative will strengthen our school community’s commitment to responsible resource use and inspire lifelong habits that benefit both people and the planet.”

With the Food Waste Diversion Pilot Program now in motion, Monroe County is setting a powerful example of how local government can work hand-in-hand with schools to address pressing environmental challenges. These grants are more than financial assistance—they’re a catalyst for student engagement, hands-on learning, and community-wide change.

By giving students a voice and a role in solving real-world problems, the program not only diverts waste from landfills but also sows the seeds of environmental responsibility in the next generation.

For more details on the initiative, visit the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services website at: https://www.monroecounty.gov/des-school-food-waste.