Senior Sparks Cafeteria Food Rescue Program

Food waste from Parker’s cafeteria now helps feed local families across Chicago, thanks to the vision and efforts of senior Zoe Polsky.

Polsky’s new food rescue initiative bridges the gap between campus resources and nearby community organizations. By collaborating with Chef Zac Maness and Chef Andrew Zubia from Quest Food Service, along with Parker Associate Principal Priyana Rupani and Chief Financial Officer Bob Haugh, Polsky established a partnership with Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity. 

The current plan has the cafeteria staff packaging surplus meals into containers each week. Representatives from RLC collect these containers and distribute them directly to individuals in neighborhood shelters and community centers. By keeping delivery distances short, the program combats food insecurity while keeping the initiative’s carbon footprint to a minimum.

For the student behind the effort, the inspiration hit close to home.

“Growing up, my parents had my brothers and me cook extra turkey and rice on Thanksgiving to hand out around the city,” Polsky shared. “My favorite part of this project is that we’re maximizing the impact of our resources—there’s no defending waste in such great quantities considering our capital, rising temperatures, and the rate of food insecurity.”

While getting a new program off the ground often comes with initial hesitation, the program is now in full swing. Polsky is quick to redirect the spotlight to the unsung heroes of the initiative: Parker's cafeteria team.

“I’d like people to know how remarkable the cafeteria staff is—they manage and coordinate the whole thing with RLC,” Polsky emphasized. “Implementing this program has been completely seamless because of them. They were the ones who made it happen.”

Looking ahead, there is hope this model will extend far beyond Parker’s walls. Quest is currently exploring ways to expand the framework to other schools and communities they serve.

What began as a simple question about where unused food goes has transformed into a sustainable, daily operation that nourishes Parker’s neighbors and sets a higher standard for environmental responsibility on campus.

Great work to all involved!