Food acceptability was assessed in forty-eight high schools using alternate methods of menu planning for school lunches. The free-choice pattern resulted in a significant reduction of total plate waste, particularly in the vegetable and salad categories. ⋯ Overall plate waste was 7 and 13 per cent of food service for boys and girls, respectively. The data suggest that a free-choice lunch may be effective in reducing plate waste, particularly for poorly consumed menu items.
G R Jansen, C T Shigetomi, P A Iyer, S D Mackin, and J M Harper.
J Am Diet Assoc. 1980 Oct 1;77(4):443-9.
AbstractFood acceptability was assessed in forty-eight high schools using alternate methods of menu planning for school lunches. The free-choice pattern resulted in a significant reduction of total plate waste, particularly in the vegetable and salad categories. Girls consistently wasted more food than did boys, regardless of menu pattern. Overall plate waste was 7 and 13 per cent of food service for boys and girls, respectively. The data suggest that a free-choice lunch may be effective in reducing plate waste, particularly for poorly consumed menu items.