scholarly journals Are green caterers more likely to serve healthy meals than non-green caterers? Results from a quantitative study in Danish worksite catering

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 846-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
BE Mikkelsen ◽  
M Bruselius-Jensen ◽  
JS Andersen ◽  
A Lassen

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate whether organic conversion in catering has positive effects on the nutritional quality of menus offered.DesignThe methodology was based on a self-administered questionnaire. The self-declared priority given to the use of organic foods was measured as the basis for assigning catering managers to one of two groups: ‘green’ or ‘non-green’ caterers. These groups were then compared with regard to the relative nutritional quality of the menu options offered to customers.SettingThe study was carried out among randomly selected Danish worksite catering outlets.SubjectsThe subjects participating in the study comprised 526 Danish worksite catering managers.ResultsThe results showed a strong correlation between caterers' ‘green-ness’ and the nutritional quality of the menu options offered. Green caters had more healthy options in their menus than non-green caters, which is likely to result in improved nutritional quality of the diets of end consumers. The reason for this may partly be the increased service training efforts that green caterers practise in order to be able to implement organic foods successfully. It may also be associated with the fact that the price premiums and availability of the organic products forces caterers to serve menus with higher amounts of root and non-green leafy vegetables, pulses and seasonal vegetables.ConclusionThe present findings suggest that organic conversion of public canteens may be a good opportunity to promote healthier eating in public catering.

2019 ◽  
Vol 126 ◽  
pp. 78-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Maseko ◽  
B. Ncube ◽  
T. Mabhaudhi ◽  
S. Tesfay ◽  
V.G.P. Chimonyo ◽  
...  

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlos Tsouvaltzis ◽  
Dimitrios S. Kasampalis ◽  
Danai-Christina Aktsoglou ◽  
Nikolaos Barbayiannis ◽  
Anastasios S. Siomos

Excessive nitrogen fertilization results in nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables. Reducing the dose of mineral nitrogen or using alternate fertilizers lowers the nitrate accumulation; however, a critical minimum level of mineral nitrogen is necessary to maintain yield and nutritional quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two levels of mineral nitrogen (100% and 50%) and three levels of an amino acid solution (0, 0.3, and 0.9%) in the nutrient solution of two baby lettuce cultivars (green and red) grown in a floating system. Nitrogen reduction did not affect yield (12.9–13.4 and 11.0–11.3 g/plant, respectively) but reduced nitrate accumulation (by 43 and 19%, respectively) in both green and red lettuce, while enhancing phenolic content (by 28%) and antioxidant capacity (by 69%) in green lettuce and soluble solid (by 7%) and total chlorophyll content (by 9%) in red lettuce. Although nitrate accumulation was prevented (< 355 mg/kg FW) and most nutritional components increased in both lettuce types by amino acids supplementation, plant growth was negatively affected, especially in red lettuce, in both concentrations of amino acids (reduction by 9 and 35% in 0.3 and 0.9%, respectively). In both lettuce types, proline content increased by 0.9% amino acids supplementation (by 45%), implying a probable induction of a stress condition. Mineral nutrients were slightly affected by nitrogen reduction, which was probably perceived as an abiotic stress.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Koukounaras

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-72
Author(s):  
Nani Yulianti ◽  
Edi Santosa ◽  
Anas Dinurrohman Susila

Fruits and young shoot of Solanum nigrum Linn are harvested and consumed as indigenous vegetables by different Indonesian ethnics. Preharvest factors and harvesting methods to maximize the quality of S. nigrum produce is still unknown. In this study S. nigrum was grown in full irradiance and under shading and assessed for their growth, and fruit and shoot yields. The experiment was conducted at the Leuwikopo Experimental Farm in Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia from April-July 2017. The results demonstrated that plants produced more fruits and shoots in full irradiance, i.e., 687.9 g and 211.1 g per plant, whereas only 331.1 g and 116.9 g per plant were produced in 50% shading. Although fruit and shoot production were superior under full irradiance, shoot-harvested plants had healthier leaves and life span of about 2 months longer thus facilitating longer availability. Canopy of shoot-harvested plants formed a columnar shape with 23 to 45 cm in height,  in contrast to spherical shape with 48 to 203 cm in height of the fruit-harvested plants. It is likely that shading level might contribute to farmers’ decision to harvest the shoots or fruits of S. nigrum. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of shading levels on nutritional quality of the shoots and fruits of S. nigrum.  Keywords: African nightshade, canopy architecture, harvesting method, indigenous vegetable, intercropping


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 36-37
Author(s):  
Jemima Beryl Mohankumar

2002 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Williams

Consumer concern regarding possible adverse health effects of foods produced using intensive farming methods has led to considerable interest in the health benefits of organically-produced crops and animal products. There appears to be widespread perception amongst consumers that such methods result in foods of higher nutritional quality. The present review concludes that evidence that can support or refute such perception is not available in the scientific literature. A limited number of studies have compared the nutrient compositions of organically- and conventionally-produced crops, with a very small number of studies that have compared animal products (meat, milk and dairy products) produced under the two agricultural systems. Very few compositional differences have been reported, although there are reasonably consistent findings for higher nitrate and lower vitamin C contents of conventionally-produced vegetables, particularly leafy vegetables. Data concerning possible impacts on animal and human health of diets comprising organic or conventional produce are extremely sparse. Data from controlled studies in animal models, particularly within single species, are limited or poorly designed, and findings from these studies provide conflicting conclusions. There are no reports in the literature of controlled intervention studies in human subjects. Comparison of health outcomes in populations that habitually consume organically- or conventionally-produced foods are flawed by the large number of confounding factors that might contribute to any differences reported. If consumer perceptions regarding potential health benefits of organic foods are to be supported, more research of better quality is needed than that which is currently available.


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