Benefits, Barriers, and Challenges to University-Level Food Waste Tracking. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burton, Kati; Serrano, Elena; Cox, Heather; Budowle, Rachael; Dulys-Nusbaum, Elena
• Is Part Of: Journal of hunger & environmental nutrition. Volume 11:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 438
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Food waste -- nutrition -- sustainability -- institution -- foodservice; Nutrition -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Hunger -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Food supply -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1080/19320248.2015.1045676
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-0248

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to assess the perceptions of dining services' staff toward tracking food waste within a large university using focus group discussions and structured interviews. Participants reported that food waste tracking resulted in improved awareness of food waste, individually directed corrective action, lower food costs, increased accountability, and shifts in perspectives. Reported barriers included logistical concerns with weighing, such as time required, compliance, communication, and need for ongoing training. Recommendations ranged from establishing a university-wide policy instituting food waste tracking programs per facility to manipulating employee work schedules internally to accommodate tracking.