In an ongoing effort to reduce food waste, Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) partners with the Costa Mesa-based Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. The organization joins other local nonprofits, including Share Ourselves, Pirates’ Cove at Orange Coast College, and Abound Food Care, in using the district’s excess food to support the community. Since July 2025, the district has donated approximately 1,150 pounds of surplus food. 

While the NMUSD Nutrition Services Department carefully plans meal counts for each school, daily menu variety and student preferences sometimes result in excess food. Instead of going to waste, these items help nourish our local community. 

“We use the leftovers we receive from the district in a variety of ways,” said Adam Ereth, Executive Director of Someone Cares. “On the weekends, we offer in-house dining, and we can use the fruit in balanced breakfast meals that include pancakes, bacon or other meat, milk, juice, and a dessert. The baby carrots go really well in the 30 pounds of salads we prepare. We also host a monthly on-site food-distribution service where families can choose from overstock items in a farmer’s market-style setting.” 

In addition to partnering with Someone Cares to donate surplus food, the district’s Seamless Transition Enrichment Program (STEP) contributes student volunteers to the soup kitchen. Adult students enrolled in the special education program learn vocational skills while serving their community. Twice a week, students clean and set tables, restock pantry items, and perform other preparatory tasks for the free lunch service. 

“We love having the STEP students as volunteers. They are wonderful to work with,” said Ereth.

For more than a decade, NMUSD has collaborated with community organizations to help reduce food waste and fight hunger. Through these partnerships, the district continues to make a positive impact by supporting families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.