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Page County schools get one-year exemption to use existing expanded-polystyrene food containers
Summary
At a June 2 work session the Page County Board of Supervisors approved a temporary, up-to-one-year local exemption allowing Page County Public Schools to use its current stock of expanded-polystyrene food service containers until depleted.
The Page County Board of Supervisors on June 2 approved a temporary exemption allowing Page County Public Schools to use its existing stock of expanded-polystyrene food service containers until the stock is depleted or for up to one year.
Virginia Jeffries, supervisor of nutritional services for Page County Public Schools, told the board that the exemption is needed because "on July 1, food vendors are not allowed to dispense food, prepared food to a customer in an expanded poly polystyrene food container unless they receive an exemption from the locality." She said the school system is asking to use existing inventory rather than discard it.
Jeffries said the district currently holds "21830 individual items" of expanded-polystyrene containers and estimated the inventory is "about a little over $1,000 worth of current stock." She told supervisors the schools have not purchased additional foam containers in the past two months and expect to use the remaining stock quickly if the exemption is granted. She said the district plans to replace foam containers with compostable paper, compressed cardboard or plastic alternatives depending on the use.
A board member moved to approve the temporary exemption and the motion received a second from Ms. Donohue. The chair called a roll; Ms. Donohue, Mr. Wheatley, Mr. Lowenback, Mr. Covetge and Mr. Vaughn each responded "yes." The motion carried.
The exemption will remain in effect for up to one year or until the school system depletes its existing stock, whichever comes first. The board discussion and the vote addressed only the requested short-term exemption; Jeffries said the schools plan to transition to non-foam alternatives going forward.
The action responds to a locality-level restriction effective July 1 that prevents food vendors from dispensing prepared food in expanded-polystyrene containers without a local exemption. The board did not change any other procurement or menu policies at the meeting.
