J Am Diet Assoc
-
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.