Abstract
A photography method was used to measure waste on food trays in school lunch in France, using the 5-point quarter-waste scale. While food waste has been studied extensively in US school lunches, the structure of the French lunch meal is quite different, with multiple courses, and vegetables (raw and cooked) in more than one course. Vegetables were the most wasted food category as usually seen in school lunch research, especially cooked vegetables, which were wasted at rates of 66%–83%. Raw vegetables were still wasted more than main dishes, starchy products, dairy, fruit, and desserts. Vegetables were also the most disliked food category, with the classes of vegetables falling in the same order as for waste. Waste and liking were highly correlated. Sensory characteristics of the food were cited as a main reason for liking/disliking. There is a strong connection between food liking and food consumption, and this connection should be the basis for future attempts to modify school lunch to improve consumption. The photographic method of measuring food waste at an individual level performed well.
Highlights
The measurement of food consumption and food waste are important for the goals of healthy eating and sustainability
There is a strong connection between food liking and food consumption, and this connection should be the basis for future attempts to modify school lunch to improve consumption
Much of the research on food consumption and food waste comes from studies of school lunches in the USA, including served hot lunches, served cold lunches, packed lunches from home, and possibly packed lunches purchased in shops
Summary
The measurement of food consumption and food waste are important for the goals of healthy eating and sustainability. Much of the research on measuring food intake and food waste has been directed to children [1]. Much of the research on food consumption and food waste comes from studies of school lunches in the USA, including served hot lunches, served cold lunches (sandwiches, etc.), packed lunches from home, and possibly packed lunches purchased in shops. The children in the USA do not typically eat a hot lunch when they are at home, where sandwiches prevail [6]. The French typically eat their main meal mid-day [9] and the meal usually includes multiple courses (usually three), including cooked vegetables [10]. French children usually have a hot lunch mid-day at home or at school, though mainly at school as part of institutional practices.
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