Increases in Household Food Waste in Canada as a Result of COVID-19: An Exploratory Study

The era of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a variety of individual lifestyle and behavioural changes, and could, therefore, potentially involve a shift towards more sustainable food systems. This research was conducted through an online survey of cross-sectional design. We surveyed 8272 Canadians in August of 2020. Participants answered questions about socio-demographic food waste amounts in kilograms, and food-waste-management behaviours. In this exploratory study, we assessed the relationships between socio-demographic variables, and self-reported food-waste behaviours through two-tailed significance testing. Results indicated that Canadian households self-reported an insignificant decrease in food waste during the pandemic. Respondents reported allowing food to expire, not utilizing leftovers, and not finishing meals. Understanding food-waste behaviour changes is key to designing effective mitigation strategies to reduce household food waste and to minimize the environmental consequences with which food waste is associated.

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Such a Shame! A Study on Self-Perception of Household Food Waste

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11010270 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 270 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Luca Falasconi ◽

Clara Cicatiello ◽

Silvio Franco ◽

Andrea Segrè ◽

Marco Setti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Waste ◽

Food Systems ◽

Large Scale ◽

Sustainable Food Systems ◽

Sustainable Food ◽

Household Level ◽

Food Shopping ◽

Household Food ◽

Awareness Raising ◽

Main Determinants

Reducing food waste is globally considered as a key challenge in developing sustainable food systems. Although most food waste is generated at the household level, consumers hardly recognize their responsibility, and the factors underpinning their perception of the quantity of food wasted at home are still unclear. This paper aims to fill this gap by analyzing the results of a large-scale survey conducted in Italy. The perceived quantity of household food waste was measured through a Likert scale and analyzed by means of a logistic regression against a set of predictors, including food waste motivations, perception of the effects of food waste, and sociodemographic variables. As expected, the perceived quantity of food waste declared by respondents was very low. Among the main determinants, food shopping habits and the level of awareness about the reasons why food is wasted played a key role. In contrast, the perception of the environmental effects of food waste seemed to be less important. Differences among subsamples recruited in different areas of Italy were detected, suggesting that further studies, as well as awareness-raising policies, should also consider context-related variables.

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Consumer Perceptions, Behaviors, and Knowledge of Food Waste in a Rural American State

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems ◽

10.3389/fsufs.2021.734785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Author(s):

Selena Ahmed ◽

Alyssa Stewart ◽

Erin Smith ◽

Teresa Warne ◽

Carmen Byker Shanks

Keyword(s):

Food Waste ◽

Food Systems ◽

Online Survey ◽

Local Level ◽

The United States ◽

Consumer Perceptions ◽

Sustainable Food Systems ◽

Sustainable Food ◽

Household Level ◽

Evidence Based Programs

Understanding consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards food waste is critical for informing evidence-based programs to advance sustainable food systems. A lack of knowledge regarding consumer food waste at the local level limits the ability to inform place-based solutions that are locally relevant. We administered an online survey to examine consumer perceptions, behaviors, and knowledge of food waste at the household level in Montana, a rural state in the United States. The majority of surveyed participants (58%) reported that they waste 10% or less of procured food. Almost half the participants (48%) are willing to take additional action to reduce food waste. Social factors including guilt and setting a good example were found to be greater motivators for reducing food waste compared to economic and environmental factors. Most survey participants (80%) perceive it would not be difficult to notably reduce their household's food waste. Overall, participants' reporting of their household's food waste quantity is lower than national quantities while their willingness to reduce food waste was higher than findings from a national survey. This study highlights the need for place-based solutions that are locally relevant to reduce household food waste towards enhancing the sustainability of food systems for supporting planetary health.

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Assessment of household food waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia: a cross-sectional online survey

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-021-16485-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sinisa Berjan ◽

Željko Vaško ◽

Tarek Ben Hassen ◽

Hamid El Bilali ◽

Mohammad S. Allahyari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Food Waste ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Household Food

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COVID-19-Related Changes in Perceived Household Food Waste in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031104 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1104

Author(s):

Kelly Cosgrove ◽

Maricarmen Vizcaino ◽

Christopher Wharton

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Food Waste ◽

The United States ◽

Food Groups ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Household Level ◽

Binomial Logistic Regression ◽

Household Food ◽

Fresh Vegetables

Food waste contributes to adverse environmental and economic outcomes, and substantial food waste occurs at the household level in the US. This study explored perceived household food waste changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and related factors. A total of 946 survey responses from primary household food purchasers were analyzed. Demographic, COVID-19-related household change, and household food waste data were collected in October 2020. Wilcoxon signed-rank was used to assess differences in perceived food waste. A hierarchical binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine whether COVID-19-related lifestyle disruptions and food-related behavior changes increased the likelihood of household food waste. A binomial logistic regression was conducted to explore the contribution of different food groups to the likelihood of increased food waste. Perceived food waste, assessed as the estimated percent of food wasted, decreased significantly during the pandemic (z = −7.47, p < 0.001). Food stockpiling was identified as a predictor of increased overall food waste during the pandemic, and wasting fresh vegetables and frozen foods increased the odds of increased food waste. The results indicate the need to provide education and resources related to food stockpiling and the management of specific food groups during periods of disruption to reduce food waste.

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Changes in Consumers’ Food Practices during the COVID-19 Lockdown, Implications for Diet Quality and the Food System: A Cross-Continental Comparison

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13010020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 20

Author(s):

Blain Murphy ◽

Tony Benson ◽

Amanda McCloat ◽

Elaine Mooney ◽

Chris Elliott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diet Quality ◽

Food Systems ◽

Online Survey ◽

Food System ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Practices ◽

The Impact

COVID-19 has led to dramatic societal changes. Differing movement restrictions across countries have affected changes in consumers’ food practices, with a potentially detrimental impact on their health and food systems. To investigate this, this research explored changes in consumers’ food practices during the initial COVID-19 phase and assessed the impact of location on these changes. A sample of 2360 adults from three continents (Island of Ireland (IOI), Great Britain (GB), United States (USA), and New Zealand (NZ)) were recruited for a cross-sectional online survey (May–June 2020). Participants completed questions in relation to their cooking and food practices, diet quality, and COVID-19 food-related practices. Significant changes in consumers’ food practices during the pandemic were seen within and between regions, with fewer cooking practices changes found in the USA. Food practices, which may put added pressure on the food system, such as bulk buying, were seen across all regions. To prevent this, organisational food practices, including planning ahead, should be emphasized. Additionally, while positive cooking-related practices and increases in fruit and vegetable intake were found, an increase in saturated fat intake was also seen. With the additional pressure on individuals’ physical and mental health, the essentiality of maintaining a balanced diet should be promoted.

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Healthy Planet, Healthy Youth: A Food Systems Education and Promotion Intervention to Improve Adolescent Diet Quality and Reduce Food Waste

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11081869 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1869 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Melissa Pflugh Prescott ◽

Xanna Burg ◽

Jessica Jarick Metcalfe ◽

Alexander E. Lipka ◽

Cameron Herritt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Science Teachers ◽

Food Waste ◽

Food Systems ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Sustainable Food Systems ◽

Sustainable Food ◽

Plate Waste ◽

The Impact

Emerging evidence suggests a link between young people’s interest in alternative food production practices and dietary quality. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a student-driven sustainable food systems education and promotion intervention on adolescent school lunch selection, consumption, and waste behaviors. Sixth grade science teachers at two middle schools (n = 268 students) implemented a standards-based curriculum on sustainable food systems, addressing the environmental impacts of food choices and food waste. The cumulating curriculum activity required the 6th grade students to share their food systems knowledge with their 7th and 8th grade counterparts (n = 426) through a cafeteria promotional campaign to discourage food waste. School-wide monthly plate waste assessments were used to evaluate changes in vegetable consumption and overall plate waste using a previously validated digital photography method. At baseline, the intervention students consumed significantly less vegetables relative to the control group (47.1% and 71.8% of vegetables selected, respectively (p = 0.006). This disparity was eliminated after the intervention with the intervention group consuming 69.4% and the control consuming 68.1% of selected vegetables (p = 0.848). At five months follow up, the intervention group wasted significantly less salad bar vegetables compared to the control group (24.2 g and 50.1 g respectively (p = 0.029). These findings suggest that food systems education can be used to promote improved dietary behaviors among adolescent youth.

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MP20: Evaluation of the disruptors during advanced life support in emergency departments

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2020.168 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (S1) ◽

pp. S49-S49

Author(s):

J. Truchot ◽

D. Michelet ◽

D. Drummond ◽

P. Plaisance

Keyword(s):

Emergency Departments ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Online Survey ◽

Life Support ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

Real Life ◽

Advanced Life Support ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Phone Calls ◽

Ed Overcrowding

Introduction: Simulation is used as a teaching technique in the medical curriculum, and especially for advanced life support (ALS). However, simulated ALS can differ greatly from real life ALS. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify the different disruptors associated with real life ALS. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey that included 32 items. It was distributed by email to emergency physicians from five emergency departments in Paris. The aim of this online survey was to identify the elements perceived as disruptors during ALS. Other aspects of the survey explored the perceived differences between simulated ALS and real life ALS. Descriptive statistics of percentage, mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. Results: Among 100 surveyed physicians, 43 (43%) answers were analysed. 53% were women with a mean age of 32 ± 3 years old. The identified disruptors from real life ALS were task interruptions mainly from non-medical staff (n = 16; 37%), patient's siblings (n = 5; 12%), other specialists (n = 5; 12%) and the phone calls (n = 2; 5%). The situation of ED overcrowding (n = 12; 28%) was also mentioned as a potential disruptor. Overall, physicians reported that some technical and non-technical tasks were harder to perform in real life compared to simulated sessions. Conclusion: This exploratory study allowed the identification of disruptors encountered in real life cases of ALS, and may be used for future simulation-based teaching to enhance realism during sessions

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Reconsidering How Successful Aging is Defined

Advances in Social Work ◽

10.18060/24218 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 694-708

Author(s):

Barbra Teater ◽

Jill Chonody

Keyword(s):

Social Workers ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Online Survey ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Financial Security ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Social ◽

Aging Adults ◽

Definition Of

Successful aging is a prominent framework within gerontology, yet an understanding of how aging adults define “successful aging” is often missing in the social work discourse around what it means to age well. This cross-sectional, exploratory study used an online survey to explore community-dwelling adults’ (aged 55+; n=471) definition of successful aging, the underlying components across all definitions, and any differences in components based on whether or not the adults identified as aging successfully. Summative content analysis yielded five main themes and 13 sub-themes for those who identified as aging successfully and five main themes and 11-sub-themes for those who identified as not aging successfully with elements of health constituting the largest percentage of responses across both groups. Bivariate analyses found participants in the “not aging successfully” group mentioned elements of Being Healthy and Financial Security more than those in the aging successfully group, and elements of Sustain Participation, Curiosity, and Learning less than those in the “aging successfully” group. The findings illustrate the extent to which aging adults view successful aging as the presence of health and ability. Social workers should be mindful to the ways in which adults view successful aging and the elements they believe to contribute to successful aging in order to provide and tailor programs, services, and resources that are supportive of aging adults’ needs and wishes.

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Physical Education Teachers’ Embracement of Alternative Environment Activities

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education ◽

10.1123/jtpe.2019-0060 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 508-517

Author(s):

Nathan Hall ◽

Brent Bradford ◽

José da Costa ◽

Daniel B. Robinson

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Physical Education ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Online Survey ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Physical Education Teachers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Teachers Experiences ◽

Outdoor Environments ◽

Teachers Professional Development

Background and Purpose: Despite widespread evidence suggesting the numerous benefits from being active in outdoor environments, children in many Western nations have recently been spending less time outdoors. This cross-sectional exploratory study provides a descriptive examination of physical education teachers’ embracement of alternative environment activities (AEAs) in physical education programs. Method: Data were collected from 225 current physical education teachers in Alberta and Manitoba, Canada, through an online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Levene’s tests, and independent t tests. Results: Significant differences were found in relation to teachers’ experiences, or lack thereof, with professional development in relation to the extent to which teachers embraced AEAs. Furthermore, cost was discovered to be the greatest perceived barrier to teaching AEAs. Discussion and Conclusions: This study reveals an established need for teachers’ professional development in teaching AEAs and for discovering ways to decrease cost barriers for teaching AEAs.

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