What is SHARE?

A food recovery program by Toward Zero Waste with Wake County Public School System to capture wholesome leftovers from cafeteria meals and feed students, NOT landfills.

How does it work?

Students can leave and/or take approved unwanted and unopened foods during breakfast and lunch service. Leftover items are transferred to a centrally located pantry cart and refrigerator, for easy access throughout the week.

Who is it for?

ALL students in pilot program schools can access the pantry cart and fridge throughout the day. Running late and missed breakfast? Forgot to pack a snack? Just plain hungry? Students can use the pantry cart and fridge as they need.

Why have this program?

  • To REDUCE the amount of prepackaged unopened food thrown out as waste at schools.
  • To ESTABLISH a food recovery program to distribute the food items to any students in the school, thereby eliminating stigma.
  • To INCREASE student engagement by increasing both awareness of hunger and respect for their environment.
  • To RESPECT resources and guidelines from WCPSS Child Nutrition Services by feeding people, instead of landfills.

Want to learn more?

Watch the video below to learn from students, faculty, and TZW members contributing to SHARE’s success

SHARE Products and Tools

Poster

Collection Cart

Small fridge with snacks in it

Fridge

Pantry Cart

Pantry Cart

The SHARE pilot program is made possible by funds from the Lonnie & Carol Poole Family Foundation and other generous donors.

Schools Participating in the Pilot Program:

Phase 1 Schools (Spring 2025):

  • Davis Drive Elementary
  • Dillard Drive Elementary
  • Kingswood Magnet Elementary
  • Lincoln Heights Magnet Elementary
  • Millbrook Magnet Middle
  • Poe Magnet Elementary
  • Wake Forest  iStem Magnet Elementary
  • Wiley Magnet Elementary

Phase 2 Schools (Summer 2025):

  • Apex Elementary
  • Briarcliff Elementary
  • Cary Elementary
  • Douglas Magnet Elementary
  • Lufkin Road Middle
  • Moore Square Magnet Middle
  • North Garner Middle
  • Partnership Magnet Elementary
  • Underwood Magnet Elementary
  • Wake Forest Middle

Phase 3 Schools (Fall/Winter 2025):

  • Abbotts Creek Elementary
  • Brier Creek Elementary
  • Carnage Magnet Middle
  • Combs Magnet Elementary
  • Neuse River Middle
  • River Bend Middle
  • Vandora Springs Elementary
  • Root Elementary
  • Reedy Creek Elementary

Phase 4 Schools (Spring 2026):

  • Alston Ridge Middle
  • Apex Friendship Elementary
  • Bowling Road Elementary
  • Green Magnet Elementary
  • Olive Chapel Elementary
  • Parkside Elementary
  • Penny Road Elementary
  • Washington Magnet Elementary
  • West Lake Elementary
  • West Lake Middle

 How Can You Help?

  1. Donate!
  2. Volunteer! Email [email protected] for more information.
Megan Holler
Megan HollerDirector of Food Recovery & Compost

Megan Holler is the Director of Food Recovery and Composting for Toward Zero Waste and runs the SHARE Program. Megan holds her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Pfeiffer University. After 10 years in healthcare social work, Megan shifted her work pursuits to her other passion – the environment. With two young children at home, she started down the “toward zero waste” path after seeing all the extra waste children’s products can generate. From there it was a slippery slope to reducing, reusing, recycling, and letting rot, whenever, and wherever, possible. With TZW since 2019, Megan has collaborated with the Town of Cary on its Food Waste Recycling Drop-Offs, consulted with numerous Wake County PTAs on their organics diversion initiatives, led the partnership effort for The ReCollective’s Community Compost program, and worked diligently to bring a food recovery program to Wake County public schools. Megan loves sharing zero waste ideas and concepts, including the range of options that exists, to family, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who will listen!

Want to Learn More?

If you are a WCPSS school, parent, or other other school district contact [email protected] to schedule an informational meeting

In the News

WRAL SHARE Article

CBS 17 Article

K-12 Food Rescue Podcast

News & Observer Article

Quick Links:

SHARE- Question/Comment Form

SHARE In The News!

Volunteer Interest Form

WCPSS Volunteer Application

Questions or Feedback?

Fill out this form and let us know your thoughts!