Suggestion of an Evaluation Tool for Sustainable Practices in School Foodservices and Analysis of Performance: Focus on Gyeonggi Province

Sustainable practices of school foodservices are gaining more attentions. The study aimed to investigate dietitians' performance levels of sustainable practices in school foodservice settings in Gyeonggi Provinces. Using a survey method was used, and data were collected from 358 participants (response rate 59.7%) to be analyzed using the SPSS program. The evaluation tool for sustainable practices of school foodservices consisted of four sections and 34 criteria with 100 points. Employment status of the respondents was as follows: nutrition teachers 40.9%, dietitians (permanent) 45.1%, and temporary position dietitians 13.2%. Dietitians' performance for sustainable practices marked 65.67 points out of 100 (performance rate 66%) and were in the following order by section: sustainable foodservice management criteria (69%), support activities (69%), planning and evaluation (68%), and outcome management (52%). Regarding sub-sections, criteria that acquired higher performance rates were labelling of food origin (99%), use of seasonal vegetables and fruits (98%), food waste management by contract dealer (98%), and planning for reducing of food waste and solid waste (91%). Meanwhile, criteria that showed the lowest scores were installing water conservation devices on equipment (19%), operating food donation programs for communities (21%), use of sensor lights for electricity conservation (24%), planning for annual energy conservation (40%), and implementation of education programs for foodservice workers on sustainable activities (42%). Performance scores differed according to school levels and working experience of dietitians, indicating that dietitians at elementary school foodservices or with work experience of 15 to 20 years showed higher performance than those at high schools or with less than 5 years of work experience (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). Based on the results, action plans for improvement were suggested.

Consumer perceptions on sustainable practices implemented in foodservice organizations in Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sustainable practices in foodservice organizations including commercial and noncommercial ones are critical to ensure the protection of the environment for the future. With the rapid growth of the foodservice industry, wiser usage of input sources such as food, utilities, and single use packaging should be reconsidered for future generations. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the customer's perceptions on sustainable practices and to identify the relationship among sustainable practices, social contribution and purchase intention. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study was conducted using content analyses by reviewing articles on sustainable food service practices published domestically and abroad. Thereafter, data were collected with a face-to-face survey using a questionnaire and analyzed with factor analyses and multiple regressions. RESULTS: Sustainable practices classified with factor analysis consisted of 6 dimensions of green food material procurement, sustainable food preparation, green packaging, preservation of energy, waste management, and public relations on green activity, with a total of 25 green activities in foodservice operations. Consumers were not very familiar with the green activities implemented in the foodservice unit, with the lowest awareness of "green food material procurement (2.46 out of 5 points)", and the highest awareness of "green packaging (3.74)" and "waste management (3.28). The factors influencing the perception of social contribution by foodservice organizations among 6 sustainable practice dimensions were found to be public relations on green activity (beta = 0.154), waste management (beta = 0.204) and sustainable food preparation (beta = 0.183). Green packaging (beta = 0.107) and the social contribution of the foodservice organization (beta = 0.761) had strong relationships with the image of the organization. The purchase intentions of customers was affected only by the foodservice image (beta = 0.775). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that sustainable practices by foodservice organization present a good image to customers and increase the awareness of valuable contributions that benefit the customer as well as the community.