How Parents Can Support Ahimsa on Giving Tuesday for Healthier Schools
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Time to Read: 6 min
Giving Tuesday reminds us of the power we hold to create meaningful change together. It’s a day to support initiatives that make a real difference, especially for the next generation. At Ahimsa, children’s health and sustainability drive everything we do. From providing safer, non-toxic mealtime products to reducing the impact of harmful plastics, we believe small, intentional choices add up to a healthier world.
But our mission doesn’t stop at home. Schools are where habits form and lessons last a lifetime. That’s why we’ve extended our work into cafeterias, helping schools transition to safer, reusable solutions that benefit kids and the planet. Kids love our stainless steel trays at school and at home.
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
Want to know more? Check out our story and our products.
Why Schools Need Change
School cafeterias are overrun with single-use plastics. Disposable trays, packaging, and utensils create mountains of waste every year. According to the Endocrine Society, plastics leach hazardous chemicals like endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), which can harm human development. For children, these exposures are particularly concerning, as they occur during critical growth stages.
The environmental toll is staggering. Single-use plastics generate significant carbon emissions during production and contribute to landfill overflow. A single school can discard thousands of trays annually, adding to the 300 million tons of plastic produced globally each year. This cycle threatens ecosystems, water supplies, & air quality.
Schools can prioritize health and sustainability but many struggle to find affordable and practical solutions. Balancing tight budgets with the need for durable, reusable materials can feel impossible. Without support, many remain stuck in unsustainable patterns, despite the growing urgency to make a change.
Ahimsa’s Conscious Cafeteria Program
Ahimsa’s Conscious Cafeteria Program helps schools take a bold step toward healthier environments and sustainable practices. Through a partnership with Plastic Free Restaurants , schools can receive 100% funding to switch from disposable plastic trays to durable, reusable stainless steel trays. This simple change makes a remarkable impact on student health and the planet.
Stainless steel trays eliminate harmful chemicals found in single-use plastics and reduce the waste that burdens landfills and waterways. Schools that switch see tangible results: an 83% reduction in carbon emissions, over 3,300 pounds of waste eliminated annually, and savings of $2,800 for schools with 500 students. Costs for waste hauling decrease, and water usage drops significantly, with over 9,700 gallons saved each year.
Beyond the environmental and financial benefits, the program offers educational opportunities. The Ahimsa Smurfs K-2 curriculum introduces young learners to the importance of sustainability and equips them with practical knowledge about reducing waste. By making cafeterias healthier and teaching kids the value of thoughtful choices, the Conscious Cafeteria Program creates lasting change. Schools can transform their lunchrooms into safer, greener spaces, showing students how small shifts can lead to meaningful progress.
How Parents Can Get Involved
Parents are critical in bringing healthier, more sustainable practices to schools. Start by talking to your child’s school about switching to reusable trays. Ask if the cafeteria has a dishwasher, as this simple tool unlocks 100% funding for the transition through Ahimsa’s partnership with Plastic Free Restaurants. If the school doesn’t have one, alternatives exist, and Ahimsa provides resources to help.
Advocate for safer meal environments by sharing the benefits of reusable trays, from reduced waste and carbon emissions to healthier options free of toxic chemicals. Point out the study results: schools saved over $2,800 and eliminated thousands of disposable items with this switch.
Use Ahimsa’s resources to make the process easier. Fill out the funding application form, or share it with school administrators. Parent voices matter. By speaking up, you can inspire change that creates healthier cafeterias and teaches kids the importance of thoughtful, sustainable choices.
Snacktime Essentials
Giving Tuesday and Beyond
Small changes, when made together, create a lasting impact. Giving Tuesday offers the perfect opportunity to amplify Ahimsa’s mission, extending its reach from family tables to school cafeterias. By making the switch to reusable stainless steel trays , schools not only reduce waste but also protect children’s health and nurture sustainable habits.
Parents have the power to drive this change. Start conversations, share resources, and encourage schools to embrace healthier, safer solutions. Together, we can create a future where every child learns in an environment that values their well-being and the planet. Get involved today and help build a legacy of health and sustainability.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Snacktime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
