Youth environmental group presses district for more plastic-free lunch days and dishwasher funding

Students and parents representing Transition Town Port Washington urged the Board of Education on June 17 to expand plastic-free lunch days and to support investments in dishwasher systems for district cafeterias.

Speakers said last year—s plastic-free lunch day was successful but attempts to repeat it this school year were hindered by limited communication from Aramark and the district. Isaac Grabard, a senior at Schreiber High School, said the group "received minimal communication from both the administration and Aramark," which prevented them from organizing the event this year. Students requested short-term steps (more plastic-free lunch days) and long-term steps (district support for cafeteria dishwashers).

Parent leaders pointed to health and environmental research connecting plastic exposure to longer-term health risks and said installing dishwashing equipment would reduce single-use container reliance. Margaret Galbraith, Transition Town president, told the board Aramark removed many single-use items last year but that plastics returned this year; she said the district—s new grant writer might pursue dishwasher grants but asked for clarity on timing and responsibility.

Board and administrative response: Presenters said they met with Aramark earlier in the year but did not get a timeline. Trustees did not adopt any formal motion or funding at the meeting. Administration representatives said they would follow up with Aramark and the district—s grant-writing staff; no grant applications or timelines were disclosed in public comments.

Why it matters: Student health, cafeteria procurement and vendor coordination intersect with district food-service contracts and capital planning; dishwasher installations would require funding, vendor selection and possibly physical modifications to cafeterias.