Nutritional, environmental and economic implications of children plate waste at school: A comparison between two Italian case studies

Beatrice Biasini, Michele Donati, Francesca Giopp, Alice Rosi, Irena Colić Barić, Martina Bituh, Ružica Brečić, Ana Ilić, Mary Brennan, Steve Quarrie, Maysara Sayed, Angela Tregear, Davide Menozzi, Francesca Scazzina

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Objective:
This study aims at comparing two Italian case studies in relation to school children’s plate waste and its implications, in terms of nutritional loss, economic cost, and carbon footprint.

Design:
Plate waste was collected through an aggregate selective weighting method for 39 days.

Setting:
Children from the first to the fifth grade from four primary schools, two in each case study (Parma and Lucca), were involved.

Results:
With respect to the served food, in Parma the plate waste percentage was lower than in Lucca (p<0.001). Fruit and side-dishes were highly wasted, mostly in Lucca (>50%). The energy loss of the lunch meals accounted for 26% (Parma) and 36% (Lucca). Among nutrients, dietary fibre, folate and vitamin C, calcium and potassium were lost at most (26-45%). Overall, after adjusting for plate waste data, most of the lunch menus fell below the national recommendations for energy (50%, Parma; 79%, Lucca) and nutrients, particularly for fat (85%, Parma; 89%, Lucca). Plate waste was responsible for 19% (Parma) and 28% (Lucca) of the carbon footprint associated to the food supplied by the catering service, with starchy food being the most important contributor (52%, Parma; 47%, Lucca). Overall, the average cost of plate waste was 1.8 €/kg (Parma) and 2.7 €/kg (Lucca), accounting respectively for 4% and 10% of the meal full price.

Conclusion:
A re-planning of the school meals service organisation and priorities is needed to decrease the inefficiency of the current system and reduce food waste and its negative consequences.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere143
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalPublic Health Nutrition
Volume27
Issue number1
Early online date16 Feb 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • plate waste
  • school meal
  • nutritional adequacy
  • nutritional loss
  • carbon footprint
  • economic impact

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