Texas School Cafeteria Workers Fired For Taking Home Fruit Instead Of Throwing It Away

Two cafeteria workers at a West Texas elementary school have been fired after violating guidelines and allegedly taking home some leftover fruit.

The Ector County Independent School District employees were fired Tuesday. District spokesman Mike Adkins says the workers acknowledged taking some food home last week.

Both were assigned to Murry Fly Elementary School in Odessa.

Cafeteria workers, when hired, must sign a document saying they will not take food or other leftovers home from school.

The Odessa American reports the dispute involved some pears that students had with meals, but did not eat and left behind. Photos of the workers, allegedly leaving with the food, were posted online.

Federal rules say foods provided to students but not eaten must be discarded and cannot be taken home or given away.