Preschool Healthy Food Policy Did Not Increase Percent of Food Wasted: Evidence from the Carolinas.

ABSTRACT: This research evaluates the effects of a South Carolina (SC) policy, which changed the nutrition standards for foods served in early care and education (ECE) settings, on wasted food. A two-group pre-test/post-test evaluation was performed in ECE centers serving children age 3-5 from households with lower incomes in SC (n = 102 children from 34 centers, intervention) and North Carolina (NC; n = 99 children from 30 centers, comparison). Direct observation was performed to assess the quantity and kcal of food served and quantity and percent of food discarded, by food group and nutrient, enabling assessment of waste in the absence of intervention. Mixed-effects linear models were fit to estimate, by state, differences in change from baseline to post-implementation at the center level. Covaria

SUBMITTER: Neff RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7600022 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature