Local food procurement for school districts in Illinois just got easier, to the tune of $7.3 million. The USDA’s Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) is providing this funding to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to distribute to school districts across the state. According to ISBE’s website: “The goal of LFS […]
Heineman Middle School’s Roadmap to Zero
What do you do when you want to reduce lunchroom waste at your school, but your waste hauler can’t provide composting service? You make a roadmap! Seven Generations Ahead’s (SGA) Zero Waste Schools (ZWS) program is excited to pursue a new project that guides schools through the process of waste reduction at the source – […]
Oak Park’s New Rec Center Leads the Way
From left to right: Park District of Oak Park Executive Director, Jan Arnold, Seven Generations Ahead Executive Director, Gary Cuneen, and Park District of Oak Park Superintendent of Parks and Planning, Chris Lindgren at a preview of the new Community Recreation Center On Sunday, May 21st, the Park District of Oak Park held a ribbon […]
Carl Von Linné Elementary School is Thri
Seven Generations Ahead’s Zero Waste Schools (ZWS) program is celebrating another successful launch at a local school. The ZWS team oversaw what was actually a relaunch of the zero waste program at Carl Von Linné Elementary School, a Chicago Public School (CPS) with 648 students. Von Linné has been a part of the program since […]
It’s Our Future Supports Climate Advocac
Photo courtesy of E-town Sunrise Facebook page By Milo Slevin, ETHS student As youth climate advocates, our connections with other young people are an important way for us to create greater impact. It’s Our Future (IOF), a youth-driven program that empowers Chicago area high school students to advocate for just climate solutions in their schools […]
Lincoln Park High School Launches Zero W...
On March 14, 2023 Lincoln Park High School (LPHS) in Chicago Public Schools, a school of 2,060 students, officially launched its zero waste program in the lunchroom and kitchen. According to Gary Cuneen, Seven Generations Ahead’s (SGA) Founder and Executive Director, “This launch is part of SGA’s work to support CPS in establishing food scrap […]
Going Green at School with Go Green Illi...
The latest Go Green Illinois meeting was on all things green schools, and SGA’s Becky Brodsky was there to talk zero waste schools with dozens of attendees from 25 communities around Illinois, as well as a fantastic lineup of other speakers. Presenters covered a wide variety of ways schools can become more sustainable, from waste […]
COP27 Reflection: The Importance of Joy ...
COP27 youth delegate and Chicago Public School teacher, Greta Kringle (left) and IOF program consultant Rachel Rosner (right) finding a joyful moment at COP. By Rachel Rosner, IOF Program Consultant In a time of darkness, you don’t curse the darkness, you light a candle. -Al Gore As I reflect on our time in Sharm el Sheikh […]
COP27 Youth Dispatch: Change is Hard. Ch...
By Emmet Ebels Duggan, IOF Youth Delegate For those that attended the livestream, I confess that this dispatch is very similar to what I presented. The reasons for this include 1) this really is a good summary of my main takeaways from the week and 2) I’m way too tired to write something original right […]
COP27 Youth Dispatch: For the People, no...
Manolo Avalos, IOF Youth Delegate, with climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. By Manolo Avalos, IOF Youth Delegate There seems to be this excitement in the room everywhere I go at COP 27 – even on the shuttle buses. I love hearing the many different languages, seeing everyone connecting and feeling the passion about climate change. […]