Legislation that would allow schools to address student hunger through a Shared Table program has been introduced by State Rep. Bob Merski. 

H.B. 1286 would help solve student hunger and combat food waste by allowing schools to redistribute unused food to students in need. 

“In Pennsylvania, 1 in 7 children face hunger, which means that they show up to class each day without the fuel they need to concentrate, retain information and learn,” Merski said.

The Shared Table program would allow students with unwanted, unused food to deliver it to a designated spot where students in need could discreetly obtain food to take home with them. 

The bill will be referred to committee.