--- title: Albany Unified School District Switch to Reusables with Grant Funding description: Learn how Albany United School District made the switch to Reusable Ware with grant funding to purchase a Hobart Conveyor Type Commercial Dishwasher. image: https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/Albany.jpg --- - [go to hobartcorp.com](http://hobartcorp.com) - ![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/print.png) - ![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/share.png) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/logo.png?width=196&height=30&name=logo.png "logo.png")](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog) - [![Learn how Albany United School District made the switch to Reusable Ware with grant funding to purchase a Hobart Conveyor Type Commercial Dishwasher.](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/Albany.jpg) ](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/grant-funding-helps-albany-unified-school-districts-switch-to-a-reusable-ware-program) # Albany Unified School District Switch to Reusables with Grant Funding April 19, 2024 by Hobart Dishroom [Schools](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/schools), [Dishwashing](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/dishwashing), [K12](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/k12) In the spring of 2024, a new Hobart CLeN Ventless Conveyor Type Dishmachine was installed in the central kitchen of Albany Unified School District (AUSD) in California, thanks in part to grant funding from [StopWaste](https://www.stopwaste.org/), a public agency focused on reducing waste in Alameda County. The dishmachine allows the school district to switch from disposable to reusable ware, reducing the amount of waste being sent to the landfill each day by the district’s six schools. Like many school districts across the country, AUSD relied heavily on disposable ware. At each meal the district serves about 3,500 students, all using plastic trays, cups and utensils. “For years I watched as we sent thousands of pounds of disposable ware into the landfill,” says Sabina Feinberg, executive chef, (pictured above with her new machine) at AUSD. “It really weighed on me what we were doing to the environment, but we didn’t have money in the budget to purchase a dishmachine.” ## **Investing in Infrastructure** Budget issues are a reality for school systems like AUSD but grant money can help pay for equipment and ware to switch over to reusable ware programs. For AUSD, located in Alameda County, California, the school had access to the StopWaste grant program, which funds a [Reusable Foodware Infrastructure Grant](https://www.stopwaste.org/at-work/stopwaste-grants/grant-types/reusable-foodware-infrastructure-grants) each year. Through StopWaste and other grant opportunities, AUSD received funding to purchase and install a dishmachine at the central kitchen and purchase reusable trays and utensils. Feinberg found out about the StopWaste program at a district meeting where another school presented on their success with the grant opportunity. “Seeing that another school was able to do this was a real turning point for me,” she says. “Knowing someone else could do it gave me confidence to do it. And now I can be an example for others.” She goes on to say “I am excited about being a pioneer by switching to reusables. I like being that for other people.” California leads the way in assisting schools with converting to reusable ware programs. In addition to the StopWaste program in Alameda County, the state’s department of education also offers a [commercial dishwasher gran](https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/mbsnp042024.asp?hsCtaTracking=ad06d475-f620-4936-957d-a7660f760e32%7C6f4afc2c-bb2f-4b17-9b29-2c12735bd9ae)t. But other states and local agencies have funds available to schools as well. “I wouldn’t have known where to start to do this on my own but working with the people at StopWaste helped make it happen, and I think we will really make an impact on our community,” Feinberg says. ## **Benefits of Dishmachines in K-12 School Systems** Before the grant, each school and the central kitchen of AUSD relied solely on [three-compartment ](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/choosing-centerline-over-a-3-compartment-sink-for-improved-safety-efficiency)sinks to manually wash ware used in food prep and serving. Now, the six schools will transport dirty trays and utensils to the central kitchen, where they will be washed and sanitized, and returned for service the next day. In addition to dramatically reducing the amount of waste going to local landfills, AUSD will see other benefits from integrating a commercial dishwasher into the district’s warewash program. **Labor.** While Feinberg plans to hire a person to focus on dishwashing, the addition of a dishmachine brings overall labor savings of about 40% to organizations that upgrade from a three-compartment sink. Staff no longer have to hand wash dishes, leaving them more time to do other tasks in the kitchen. **Water use.** Studies have shown that upgrading to a dishmachine from a three-compartment sink reduces water consumption by up to 70%. Multiple gallons of water are needed each time a three-compartment sink is filled up, whereas most commercial dishwashers use less than a gallon of water per rack of ware. **Food Safety.** It’s very difficult to ensure ware is consistently and properly sanitized manually in a 3-compartment sink. Studies have revealed many items never touch the sanitizer or are not submersed for the necessary amount of time. An automated commercial dishwasher helps ensure every piece of ware is properly sanitized, on every cycle.   [![Warewash_reusables_guidebook](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hobart%20Warewash/Warewash_reusables_guidebook.jpg?width=109&height=141&name=Warewash_reusables_guidebook.jpg)](https://warewash.hobartcorp.com/reusables)   Integrating a dish machine into your K-12 foodservice operation can make a big impact by reducing environmental impacts and improving operational efficiencies. Visit Hobart’s [Reusable Ware and Sustainability website](https://warewash.hobartcorp.com/reusables) to learn more about how making the switch to reusable ware programs can benefit your school system.   [![Learn More About Hobart Dishmachines](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3454438/3ab56f45-67a9-41c4-a6a9-f954158d0813.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3454438/3ab56f45-67a9-41c4-a6a9-f954158d0813) Tags: [Schools](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/schools), [Dishwashing](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/dishwashing), [K12](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/k12) ### SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLOG! ### Latest Posts --- [Schools](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/schools) [![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/webIMG-%20Dishwasher%20CL%20(Hobart_08_425x300)%20.jpg) ](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/preparing-your-school-dishroom-for-summer) ### [Preparing Your School Dishroom for Summer](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/preparing-your-school-dishroom-for-summer) May 15, 2024 by Hobart Dishroom As the school year draws to a close and summer break starts, it's important to properly prepare your [Hobart dishmachine](https://www.hobartcorp.com/products/commercial-dishwashers) for summertime shutdown. Taking the necessary steps will help maintain your commercial dishwasher’s performance and ensure a smooth restart when classes resume. Here's a checklist for your school dishroom staff to follow: [Read More](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/preparing-your-school-dishroom-for-summer) [Schools](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/schools) [![K12 Ware Type Options](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/LunchTray-Blog.jpg) ](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/choosing-disposable-or-reusable-ware) ### [Choosing Disposable or Reusable Ware for K12 Food Service](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/choosing-disposable-or-reusable-ware) April 01, 2022 by Hobart Each year, an estimated 7.5 to 8 billion breakfasts and lunches are served to K-12 students across the United States. The type of ware used to serve those meals in some ways is just as important as the food that’s on it, and plays a big role in determining the budget, labor needs and waste management for a food service operation. Many school systems relied on disposable ware programs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, even if they had a reusable ware program before the pandemic. Disposables made it easy to package and deliver to-go meals to students doing remote school and helped address concerns over contamination for on-site education. Now as we emerge from COVID-19 restrictions, K-12 food service is being impacted by additional factors including budgets, availability of supplies and storage space, labor costs, and sustainability expectations and mandates. Many schools are reconsidering their ware programs and making the switch to reusables. [Read More](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/choosing-disposable-or-reusable-ware) [Schools](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/schools) [![School Lunch Serving](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/Supporting%20Graphics%20and%20Images/K12%20Supporting%20Images%20and%20Graphics/Cafeteria%20Tray_Blog%20Image%20resized.jpeg) ](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/hobart-dishwasher-serving-school-since-1965) ### [Head of the Class Performance: Hobart Dishwasher Serving School Since 1965](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/hobart-dishwasher-serving-school-since-1965) March 11, 2021 by Hobart Since 1965, [Roncalli High School](https://rhs.roncallicatholicschools.org/) of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has been preparing students for life – 5,118 graduates so far, and about 230 current students. And since the first day of classes at Roncalli High, a Hobart C-81 conveyor-style dishwasher has been reliably washing students’ lunchware, 180 days a year, going on 56 years. Not to mention cleaning dishes to a sparkle after the school’s annual Food Fair, annual dinners, fundraising auctions, and even community events and wedding receptions. [Read More](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/hobart-dishwasher-serving-school-since-1965) [Schools](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/tag/schools) [![Reusable Ware Pilot Program @ Benjamin Franklin Elementary](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/BenjaminFranklin.jpg) ](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/franklin-elementary-saves-money-helps-the-environment-switching-to-reusables) ### [School Saves Money & Helps the Environment by Switching to Reusables](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/franklin-elementary-saves-money-helps-the-environment-switching-to-reusables) May 05, 2020 by Hobart Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Glendale, California, struggles with many of the same challenges faced by schools across the country. One in particular is the waste produced from student meals. State mandates and parental expectations surrounding sustainability are putting pressure on school districts to look for environmentally friendly options to combat the amount of organic and solid waste, while still meeting federal school nutrition requirements and working within tight budgets. [Read More](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/franklin-elementary-saves-money-helps-the-environment-switching-to-reusables) [![footer-hobart-logo.png](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/md_wldo05uNMx1w.png)](https://www.hobartcorp.com/) - [Products](https://www.hobartcorp.com/products) - [Service](http://www.hobartservice.com) - [Parts](https://www.hobartcorp.com/commercial-parts) - [Industries](https://www.hobartcorp.com/industries-hobart) - [Technology](https://www.hobartcorp.com/technology-hobart) - [Resources](https://www.hobartcorp.com/resources-hobart) - [About Us](https://www.hobartcorp.com/about-us-hobart) - [Contact Us](https://www.hobartcorp.com/contact-us) - [Find a Sales Rep/Dealer](https://www.hobartcorp.com/find-dealer-or-sales-representative) - [Careers](https://www.hobartcorp.com/about-us-hobart/current-openings) - [News & Events](https://www.hobartcorp.com/news%26events-hobart) - [BUY ONLINE](https://www.hobartcorp.com/node/412/) - [Financing](https://www.hobartcorp.com/products/financing-hobart) [![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/100th_sm_8SqAxGbwBzHs.png?width=41&height=41&name=100th_sm_8SqAxGbwBzHs.png) ](https://www.facebook.com/hobartfoodequipment) [![](https://www.hobartcorp.com/sites/default/files/webdam-assets/instagram-logo-hobart-41x41.png) ](https://www.instagram.com/hobartfoodequipment/) [![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/100th_sm_hPYb74WQz0Gz.png?width=41&height=41&name=100th_sm_hPYb74WQz0Gz.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/9616444/) [![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/100th_sm_1zbJpYeUNEvn.png?width=41&height=41&name=100th_sm_1zbJpYeUNEvn.png) ](https://twitter.com/hobartcorp) [![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/100th_sm_5N2LJtxUyorY.png?width=41&height=41&name=100th_sm_5N2LJtxUyorY.png) ](https://www.youtube.com/c/hobartfoodequipmentandservice) ![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/1280_q2Gkgz8V9JiI.png) [![](https://blog.hobartcorp.com/hubfs/Hobart%20Blog/itw-logo-small.png)](http://www.itwfoodequipmentsolutions.com/) [![](https://www.hobartcorp.com/sites/default/files/traulsen-logo.png)](https://www.traulsen.com/) [![](https://www.hobartcorp.com/sites/default/files/baxter-logo.png)](https://www.baxtermfg.com/) [![](https://www.hobartcorp.com/sites/default/files/vulcan-footer.png)](http://www.vulcanequipment.com/) [![](https://www.hobartcorp.com/sites/default/files/wolf-logo_0.png)](http://www.wolfequipment.com/Wolf/) [![](https://www.hobartcorp.com/sites/default/files/berkel-footer.png)](http://www.berkelequipment.com/Berkel/) [![](https://www.hobartcorp.com/sites/default/files/gaylord-logo.png)](http://www.gaylordventilation.com/) [More Brands](https://www.hobartcorp.com/itw-food-equipment-group-brand-family) [Notices & Policies](https://www.hobartcorp.com/hobart-notices-and-policies) | [Product Warranty Registration](https://www.hobartcorp.com/registration) | [API Integration](https://www.hobartcorp.com/api-integration) | [Sales Login](https://sales.itwfeg.com/sales/redirect.aspx) [Accessibility](https://www.hobartcorp.com/hobart-notices-and-policies/accessibility) | [ITW Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement](https://cdn1-originals.webdamdb.com/12872_157463423?cache=1712855197&response-content-disposition=inline;filename=ITW%2520Slavery-Human%2520Trafficking%2520Statement%2520ITWFEG0237%2520%252804-24%2529%2520.pdf&response-content-type=application/pdf&Policy=eyJTdGF0ZW1lbnQiOlt7IlJlc291cmNlIjoiaHR0cCo6Ly9jZG4xLW9yaWdpbmFscy53ZWJkYW1kYi5jb20vMTI4NzJfMTU3NDYzNDIzP2NhY2hlPTE3MTI4NTUxOTcmcmVzcG9uc2UtY29udGVudC1kaXNwb3NpdGlvbj1pbmxpbmU7ZmlsZW5hbWU9SVRXJTI1MjBTbGF2ZXJ5LUh1bWFuJTI1MjBUcmFmZmlja2luZyUyNTIwU3RhdGVtZW50JTI1MjBJVFdGRUcwMjM3JTI1MjAlMjUyODA0LTI0JTI1MjklMjUyMC5wZGYmcmVzcG9uc2UtY29udGVudC10eXBlPWFwcGxpY2F0aW9uL3BkZiIsIkNvbmRpdGlvbiI6eyJEYXRlTGVzc1RoYW4iOnsiQVdTOkVwb2NoVGltZSI6MjE0NzQxNDQwMH19fV19&Signature=pDCCfl7Ib2t3sXOAmP9D~GvuKOfSS6BIA6Uw9vPhfSficQPNrBwcxpCs3gN8QhNSqXTopz3GB1ryOQDKUX-lHt5vmdJ9mQ5SLSCqOjeAfp~HRj4FVE~~SH456DCj2CpIuQN8pO1S8xO2fHnjQs3ZaJZQ9NtXqAbd0TNZHnkcxu4R9L1FVoTXelDSOQKZtJIrkUKVg~GPalx1LRAs7QH~iMk3-oeoWna3q1v4QO7ofarP6ZZjjyCI6KKoJrKYUe~LVAifT43011l8IwwZ3A0KpibMGRi4ssE0JrAh3tV5P1TAJqRM0i08x0wPXx1kiVn4lpCqYgIMBgVBkKzyDAZKow__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAI2ASI2IOLRFF2RHA) | [Site Map](https://www.hobartcorp.com/site-map) Notice to all users: Carefully read all [Notices & Policies](https://www.hobartcorp.com/hobart-notices-and-policies) before using this website. By using this website, you signify you assent to the terms of use, privacy statement and other notices and policies. If you do not agree, please disconnect from and do not use this website. Hobart © 2024 All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org/", "@type" : "Article", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hobart Dishroom" } ], "datePublished" : "2024-04-19T12:35:13", "headline" : "Albany Unified School District Switch to Reusables with Grant Funding", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://3454438.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3454438/Albany.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hobartcorp.com/blog/grant-funding-helps-albany-unified-school-districts-switch-to-a-reusable-ware-program", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : "51", "url" : "https://cdn2.webdamdb.com/md_wldo05uNMx1w.png?1477389670", "width" : "208" }, "name" : "Hobart Corp" } } ```