If you’ve ever been to a school cafeteria during lunch time, you would know how much food goes to waste. Schools are required to give their students a balanced diet, but not all students eat all of the food put on their plate.

Most schools also aren’t allowed to serve the food again that goes uneaten, even if it isn’t opened. While some children exchange foods at the table, some schools aren’t even allowed to let their students do this due to state laws.

That’s where the sharing table comes in. It is a new program that many schools across the country have implemented as a way to reduce waste and keep their students from going hungry.

In the cafeteria, there is a designated bin, or sometimes a table, where students can drop off unwanted or uneaten items from their lunches to share with other students.

The donated items must be unopened and sealed in a container of some kind. While some of the items are taken off of their school lunch tray, others are brought specifically for the bin.

Some parents and students purposely pack extra in their lunch every day to donate to the bin in case other students who wouldn’t otherwise get a lunch don’t have to go hungry.

School officials say it has been great to see not only all the students having the opportunity to get something to eat for lunch, but also how excited the kids are to donate to the bin and do their part.

Check out the video below to see more about the program and how it is benefiting students. Be sure to share this with your family and friends. What a great idea!