A Fresh Start: Foodservice Packaging Lessons for Back to School

As summer wraps up and kids return to school, most people are thinking about school supplies and morning routines. Teachers are anxiously preparing for their students and developing lesson plans. They may not be thinking about foodservice packaging. But at FPI, we’re always thinking about it and how it can help in everyday applications as well as in schools.

Because of our passion for foodservice packaging education, we partnered with Young Minds Inspired and created an educational program for fourth through sixth graders. The goal is to educate our youth about foodservice packaging and assist teachers in meeting their curriculum objectives. The activities included in the free lesson plan explore the use of single-use foodservice packaging, encourage recycling/composting, and teach about sustainability.

We think this was a great opportunity for teachers to add a new, real-world element to their lessons, and an easy way for students to learn about the foodservice packaging products they’re probably using daily. If you can educate students on the what, why and how of foodservice packaging, we believe they’ll have a better understanding of why it’s a smart choice for sanitation, safety and environmental reasons.

The free downloadable program includes a one-page teacher’s instruction guide along with two activities for students that promote deeper-level thinking and discussion, and enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and English language arts classroom education — what are known as STEM and ELA programs.

The interactive activities include scenarios that help students understand:

• How and why foodservice packaging was invented.
• How foodservice packaging compares to reusable products in different circumstances.
• The factors related to sanitation, safety, cost, convenience and the environment.
• And more!

At FPI and within our industry, we are committed to reducing the impact of foodservice packaging products on the environment. By creating this educational program, we hope to provide a fun and dynamic opportunity for the next generation to learn about the foodservice packaging products they use every day.

You can check out the full educational program here and teachers can download and begin using the materials immediately.

Do you know an educator who could benefit from these materials? Please be sure to share this information with them!