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Effectiveness and Implementation Costs of School Share Tables in the Midwestern United States

Prescott, M. P.; Allison, T.; More, S. P.; Balto, G.; Stasiewicz, M. J.

2025-06-24 public and global health
10.1101/2025.06.23.25330059 medRxiv
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Structured AbstractO_ST_ABSObjectiveC_ST_ABSTo evaluate the impact of a train-the-trainer approach to share table implementation on school food recovery and to determine the maintenance costs of share table operation. MethodsIn 2022-2023, researchers collaborated with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) Programs in 6 states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin) to implement and evaluate the integration of share tables into school meal programs. Each participating school (n= 41) submitted monthly cost surveys, which assessed the costs of share table eligible food and beverage items ordered and any costs associated with share table implementation. SNAP-Ed staff conducted bimonthly Share Table observations to assess student use of share tables, use of recovered food items (taken by students, re-serviced, donated, or discarded), and weight of recovered food items. ResultsAn estimated 978 kg and $2,565 was recovered per school in the first year of share table operation. Each school expended an average of $4.15 over the school year to maintain share table operations, and only 1 school reported an increase in staff time. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that share tables are inexpensive to maintain while also improving access to healthy food and reducing food waste and school nutrition program food costs.

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