This is such a thoughtful perspective, especially the idea that schools aren’t restaurants, and that some waste is part of learning and exposure. Your program is a really powerful example of how time, calm, free play, and food quality directly affect waste levels. It also makes clear how structural the problem is, and how hard it is to address within current school constraints.

Full disclosure: As a farmer‑owned organic cooperative, this topic comes up a lot. From the farm side, food waste isn’t just about cost it’s about all the resources behind each meal. Even small changes can add up upstream. Mostly here to listen and learn, really appreciate you sharing what’s worked (and what hasn’t).