7th Grade ELA Question of the Day

Reducing Lunchroom Waste: A Plan for Our Cafeteria

The Problem Every school day, our cafeteria fills trays with food. However, many items end up in the trash. A quick look after lunch shows piles of unopened milk cartons and whole apples tossed away. The issue is not just the mess. It is also the cost and the environmental impact. Therefore, the school community needs to understand the problem before choosing a solution.

Why It Matters Food waste affects money and the planet. When students throw away food, the school pays for items no one eats. In addition, wasted food breaks down in landfills and produces methane gas. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency states that food is one of the largest parts of landfill waste. A fair point is that some students simply are not hungry at certain times, and the schedule is tight. This concession helps us see that the problem has more than one cause.

Possible Solutions One solution is to offer a "share table." Students can place unopened, safe items on a marked tray so others can take them. Another idea is to change portion sizes. Half portions reduce waste for students with smaller appetites, while those still hungry can get seconds. A final approach is to adjust the menu based on student surveys, so items people actually enjoy appear more often.

A Small Step To test the ideas, the student council suggests a two-week trial. If the share table is popular and waste decreases, the plan can continue. If not, the council can revise the strategy. In conclusion, understanding the problem and trying targeted solutions can help the cafeteria save money and protect the environment.

Sidebar: Student Snapshot (Caption: What students said about lunch) – 62% dislike at least one weekly entree. – 41% say portions are too large on some days. – 78% would use a share table.

Table: Waste Audit (Week 1) Day | Unopened Milks | Whole Fruits Tossed Mon | 37 | 29 Tue | 32 | 25

Which option best describes the author's overall organization?