Tabor Students Combat Food Waste at Global Ideas Institute

At the Global Ideas Institute, students collaborate with peers, mentors, and experts from around the world to find solutions to complex real-world issues. For the first in-person convention since the Covid-19 pandemic, a cohort of five Tabor students traveled to the Munk School at the University of Toronto to address this year’s challenge: reduce global food waste by 50% by 2030.

On Friday, April 19, 2024, Quinn Weggler ’25, Winter Vetrone ’24, Chloe Nash ’25, Mohamed Mohamed ’25, and Ashley Li ’24 presented their strategy at the forum’s final symposium. Since October 2023, they have been working under the mentorship of a graduate student at the University of Toronto to create an approach that promotes education and engagement within the school community, building upon the work that Tabor’s Dining Hall is already doing. To gather information on Tabor’s current Dining Hall operations, the students conducted an interview with Tim Mahon, the Director of Dining Services, and administered a school-wide survey to collect feedback about the menu and more. Their final strategy was described as “creative” and “elegant” by the judges.

Some of the steps in their plan include partnering with a compost company, establishing an anti-food waste club on campus, raising awareness through All School presentations and infographics on the school monitors, and creating a blueprint to share with other schools operated by Flik Dining and the ISL.

At All School Meeting on April 25, they introduced their newly formed “Food Waste Warriors” club to the entire school, which they hope will not only introduce new leadership roles and service opportunities on campus but also motivate the school community to participate in the anti-food waste movement.

The Global Ideas Institute is an example of Tabor’s commitment to creating and fostering a globally minded community. Forging educational partnerships, such as those formed at the University of Toronto, allows students to gain a deeper comprehension of the world, their role within it, and the global impact that they have. This understanding is achieved through the cultivation of diverse cultural connections and the vibrant exchange of ideas, research, resources, and more.

Watch the students' presentation below and find a slideshow of photos here.