Compost Cab & FoodPrints Team Up to Rescue Pumpkins

In the days and weeks that follow Halloween, local compost collection company, Compost Cab, rescues pumpkins from across the city that would otherwise be tossed in the garbage. Compost Cab reaches out through word of mouth and social media, using the hashtag #PumpkinsforthePeople,” to encourage folks to connect with Compost Cab if they would like a delivery of pumpkins for educational purposes and for cooking before they are composted. 

The past three years, FoodPrints Lead Educator at School Within School, Margi Fineran, has partnered with Compost Cab during the post-Halloween pumpkin rescue mission. Hundreds of pumpkins are delivered by Compost Cab to Fineran at SWS, and then the fun begins. During the month of November this school year, Fineran’s students weighed the pumpkins, made observational drawings of the pumpkins, and counted the seeds inside of the pumpkins. After the students engaged in hands-on learning through pumpkin activities, they prepared a variety of recipes with the pumpkins, including Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Bread, and Pumpkin Muffins utilizing the seeds and skins as well. (Pumpkin Recipes). 

These hands-on activities teach students of all grade levels about sustainability, plant science, and math while they engage in the many ways to study and eat a pumpkin. 

FoodPrints Lead Educators at Peabody Elementary and Francis Stevens Elementary also teamed up with Compost Cab this fall, where pumpkins were delivered and students joined in the math, science, and pumpkin cooking fun. Educational and delicious opportunities abound each year during pumpkin rescue season!