Through a grant from the Natural Resources Council of Maine, Hall-Dale Middle School students are starting a composting program in their school cafeteria to reduce food waste, according to a news release from the council.

Middle school students in the Environmental Club, with guidance from their teacher Andrea Freed, will learn about food waste and start gathering organic wastes in the lunchroom to use this waste to create compost and feed pigs. Gathering organic waste from school breakfast and lunch will benefit local farmers by feeding pigs. The students also will compost a portion and use the compost to help nourish the school garden soil. Students will set up organic waste gathering stations in the cafeteria to encourage students and faculty to reduce the amount of trash they produce. Students also will share what they have learned about composting with others in the school community.

Hall-Dale Middle School students are among those at eight schools throughout the state to receive one of council’s middle school grants. The purpose of these grants is to help Maine students carry out hands-on, outdoor conservation learning experiences that focus on healthy waters, forests and wildlife, climate and clean energy and a sustainable Maine, according to the release.

To follow the projects’ progress, visit nrcm.org.

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