Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

January 2013

Publication Title

Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition

Volume

8

Issue Number

4

First Page

506

Last Page

515

DOI

10.1080/19320248.2013.787380

Keywords

food intake, weighted plate waste, community meal center, RACC

Disciplines

Food Science | Nutrition

Abstract

Food insecure individuals often consume nutritionally inadequate diets. Using a weighted plate waste analysis, we examined whether adult guests of 2 independently operated meal centers were served and consumed Food and Drug Administration–recommended serving sizes (reference amount customarily consumed; RACC) of protein, starch, fruit, vegetables, and bread for the dinner meal. In both centers, guests were served and consumed more than 100% of RACC for protein. Regardless of amount served and independent of whether guests took seconds, consumption of fruit and vegetables was less than RACC. Larger servings of vegetables, but not of protein or starch, resulted in more plate waste. Guest surveys and informal interviews indicated that amounts served and preparation methods influenced food consumption and waste patterns. In order to provide adequate nutrition and to reduce food waste, meal centers may need to further examine food preparation and serving practices.

Comments

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article whose final and definitive form, the Version of Record, has been published in Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, 2013 in Volume 8, Issue 4. Find the published version of this article at this link.
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