INDIANAPOLIS — City officials, community partners, and educational leaders recently showcased the transformative efforts in improving school lunch programs across Indianapolis at Purdue Polytechnic High School — Englewood. Schools are participating in Ahimsa’s Conscious Cafeteria Project, a program focused on transitioning from single-use plastic trays and utensils to reusable steel and taking a comprehensive approach to promoting sustainability and healthier practices in school cafeterias.
This transition is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and waste at the following five mayor-sponsored charter schools:
• Purdue Polytechnic High School – Englewood
• Purdue Polytechnic High School – Broad Ripple
• IN Math & Science Academy West
• Victory College Prep
• Bethel Park Elementary
This effort also aligns with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ formal policy recommendations to avoid plastic due to its negative health effects on a child’s growing brain and body. This motivated local Riley pediatrician, Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, to found Ahimsa — a line of stainless steel foodware for school cafeterias.
In addition, Purdue Polytechnic High School is also part of the PataSchool initiative, which implements scratch cooking to enhance the quality of school meals. Currently, PataSchool provides more than 250,000 meals each year to 1,500 students around Indianapolis.
The reusable steel foodware and dishwashing services for the schools are made possible by the generous support of Cummins, which has also contributed employee engagement days in schools to foster career conversations and a sense of community.