A cleaning apparatus includes a roller, a conveyor belt and a belt cleaner. The conveyor belt transports food material in a first direction, and the belt cleaner cleans the food material from the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt travels in a second direction, distinct from the first direction. The conveyor belt passes around the roller as the conveyor belt changes from traveling in the first direction to traveling in the second direction. At least a portion of the belt cleaner is located directly below the roller such that food material falling off the conveyor belt when the conveyor belt passes around the roller is caught by the belt cleaner. The belt cleaner includes an enclosure through which the conveyor belt passes and an air nozzle located within the enclosure. The air nozzle directs air onto the underside of the conveyor belt. Preferably, the air nozzle is an air knife, which generates a sheet of air.