Fork it Over in the Portland Public School System

In 2004, the Portland Metro government launched Fork it Over! Portland State University’s Community Environmental Services now runs this program.  The program’s goals are to reduce the generation of commercial food waste through waste prevention and to strengthen the food donation infrastructure by recruiting targeted businesses and public institutions to commit to donating food regularly. As one example of a Fork it Over! success story, the Portland Public School System worked with non-profits near the schools to coordinate quarterly food collection before long school holidays. Over ten years, about 92 tons of less perishable foods like fruit, bread, juice, and breakfast bars have been donated.