The Experts below are selected from a list of 47550 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Necia Parker Gibson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

Melissa Pflugh Prescott - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A systems examination of school Food Recovery in Northern Colorado
    Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2020
    Co-Authors: Melissa Pflugh Prescott, Alicia Grove, Marisa Bunning, Leslie Cunningham-sabo
    Abstract:

    Abstract Food Recovery is a key strategy to address Food waste concerns. School nutrition programs have significant amounts of Food waste; yet, little is known about the prevalence and feasibility of school Food Recovery. In this mixed methods study, we identify potential school Food Recovery options and relevant systems factors, such as policies, resources, barriers, and competing priorities. To achieve these objectives, we conducted pre-consumer Food waste audits and measured all wasted Food recovered or landfilled at 14 school kitchens across three Northern Colorado school districts. Additionally, we interviewed professionals engaged in Food Recovery (n = 8) and school nutrition and sustainability staff (n = 20). The results indicate that the majority of Food waste is landfilled, but Food donation through share tables and appropriation of milk to Food banks prior to long school breaks were viewed as the most feasible Food Recovery options. Liability concerns, increased expenses over landfilling, inconsistent wasted Food volumes, and policy confusion hindered Food Recovery. Interviewees also viewed priorities to promote Food safety and quality of recovered Food as barriers. Key facilitators of Food Recovery were the desire to facilitate a cultural change to normalize Food Recovery among students and volunteers or advocates to address the Food Recovery labor needs. Interview participants across the system agreed that the training process required to sort uneaten Foods had secondary benefits of equipping the next generation with environmental stewardship habits. Study findings underscore the interconnected nature of Food safety, economics, and Food Recovery, and also suggest that systems-level solutions are warranted.

  • Literature Review Investigating Intersections between US Foodservice Food Recovery and Safety
    Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2020
    Co-Authors: Jessica Zagorski, Melissa Pflugh Prescott, Gustavo A. Reyes, Matthew J. Stasiewicz
    Abstract:

    Abstract Food waste is increasingly scrutinized due to the projected need to feed nine billion people in 2050. Food waste squanders many natural resources and occurs at all stages of the Food supply chain, but economic and environmental costs are highest at later stages due to value and resource addition throughout the supply chain. Food Recovery is the practice of preventing surplus Food from being landfill disposed. It provides new opportunities to utilize Food otherwise wasted, such as providing it to Food insecure populations. Previous research suggests that consumer willingness to waste is higher if there is a perceived Food safety risk. Yet, segments of the population act in contrast to conservative Food safety risk management advice when Food is free or extremely discounted. Therefore, Food Recovery and Food safety may be competing priorities. This narrative review identifies the technical, regulatory, and social context relationships between Food Recovery and Food safety, with a focus on US Foodservice settings. The review identifies the additional steps in the Foodservice process that stem from Food Recovery – increased potential for cross-contamination and hazard amplification due to temperature abuse – as well as the potential risk factors, transmission routes, and major hazards involved. This hazard identification step, the initial step in formal risk assessment, could inform strategies to best manage Food safety hazards in Recovery in Foodservice settings. More research is needed to address the insufficient data and unclear regulatory guidelines that are barriers to implementing innovative Food Recovery practices in US Foodservice settings.

  • characterizing and assessing the quality of state k 12 share table policies as a potential mechanism to reduce Food waste and promote Food security
    Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2020
    Co-Authors: Melissa Pflugh Prescott, Alicia Grove, Marisa Bunning, Leslie Cunninghamsabo
    Abstract:

    Abstract Objective To identify the prevalence of state-level share table policies, assess the quality of available policies, and determine common policy characteristics. Design In this qualitative policy analysis, state-level share table policies and resources were collected from March to June, 2018 from the State Department of Education Child Nutrition Office Web sites and/or staff communication across 50 states and Washington, DC. Variables Measured Frequency of state-level policy documents assessed, as well as the allowable share table items, marketing and outreach guidance, and requirements for health code clearance, critical limits, monitoring, corrective actions, record keeping, redistribution plans, and allergy considerations. Analysis After a deductive analysis approach, each collected policy document was scored on 10 a priori components primarily derived from existing Food safety policies. Descriptive statistics were used to present common policy characteristics. Results About half of the US (n = 27) had a state-level share table policy document. Most states with a policy document (81%; n = 22) allowed unused share table items to be redistributed through reservice, Food donation, or use as a cooked ingredient in future meals. Few states provided adequate guidance on monitoring, corrective actions, record keeping, allergy considerations, and best practices for share table marketing and outreach. Conclusions and Implications The high prevalence of state share table guidance suggests that this is a common Food Recovery strategy. Yet, states differed in allowable share table items and on permitted future use of share table items.

  • Characterizing and Assessing the Quality of State K–12 Share Table Policies as a Potential Mechanism to Reduce Food Waste and Promote Food Security
    Journal of nutrition education and behavior, 2020
    Co-Authors: Melissa Pflugh Prescott, Alicia Grove, Marisa Bunning, Leslie Cunningham-sabo
    Abstract:

    Abstract Objective To identify the prevalence of state-level share table policies, assess the quality of available policies, and determine common policy characteristics. Design In this qualitative policy analysis, state-level share table policies and resources were collected from March to June, 2018 from the State Department of Education Child Nutrition Office Web sites and/or staff communication across 50 states and Washington, DC. Variables Measured Frequency of state-level policy documents assessed, as well as the allowable share table items, marketing and outreach guidance, and requirements for health code clearance, critical limits, monitoring, corrective actions, record keeping, redistribution plans, and allergy considerations. Analysis After a deductive analysis approach, each collected policy document was scored on 10 a priori components primarily derived from existing Food safety policies. Descriptive statistics were used to present common policy characteristics. Results About half of the US (n = 27) had a state-level share table policy document. Most states with a policy document (81%; n = 22) allowed unused share table items to be redistributed through reservice, Food donation, or use as a cooked ingredient in future meals. Few states provided adequate guidance on monitoring, corrective actions, record keeping, allergy considerations, and best practices for share table marketing and outreach. Conclusions and Implications The high prevalence of state share table guidance suggests that this is a common Food Recovery strategy. Yet, states differed in allowable share table items and on permitted future use of share table items.

Edward S. Spang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Relational and Logistical Dimensions of Agricultural Food Recovery: Evidence from California Growers and Recovery Organizations
    Sustainability, 2020
    Co-Authors: Kelsey D. Meagher, Anne Gillman, David Campbell, Edward S. Spang
    Abstract:

    Efforts to recover on-farm Food losses by emergency Food organizations or businesses serving secondary markets have been promoted as a “win–win” solution to both Food waste and hunger. We examined what it will take to realize this potential, drawing on interviews with 35 fresh produce growers and 15 representatives from Food Recovery organizations in California. By taking grower constraints seriously and identifying key dynamics in their relationships with Food Recovery partners, we provide a textured account of the relevant logistical and relational challenges and promising solutions. Our research makes three specific contributions: (1) providing a straightforward conceptual rubric to clarify when Food Recovery partnerships are likely to be more or less difficult to achieve; (2) highlighting key relational strategies or approaches that make success more likely, even if logistical barriers appear daunting; and (3) emphasizing the dynamic, developmental, and context-specific nature of Recovery partnerships, such that “what works” will necessarily change over time and across different settings. Based on our analysis, successful partnerships require investments of time and attention that are in short supply, but necessary to establish and sustain Recovery relationships. The path forward appears less rosy than presumed by those who focus on statistics suggesting a large Recovery potential, but also more promising than presumed by those who see the structural challenges (both economic/logistical and social/relational) as inherently insurmountable.

  • Does on-farm Food loss prevent waste? Insights from California produce growers
    Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2019
    Co-Authors: Anne Gillman, David Campbell, Edward S. Spang
    Abstract:

    Abstract Significant quantities of edible produce are lost at the farm level. Amidst growing concern about the environmental impacts of Food loss and waste, advocates have invested in exploring farm-level interventions that might reduce the environmental footprint of Food. Farmers are obvious stakeholders in such efforts, yet their voices are often missing from the discussion. Drawing on interviews with 25 fresh produce growers in California, we show how on-farm losses are driven by efforts to mitigate economic risk within Food supply chains. Buyers minimize risk by demanding consistent volumes of perfect produce, and growers in turn minimize their financial risks by holding back “imperfect” and surplus Food. If Food is likely to be rejected further down the chain, growers abandon it on the farm. Using the EPA Food Recovery hierarchy and the tools of life cycle analysis (LCA), we then compare the environmental impact of farm-level loss to downstream alternatives. While landfill disposal is common at retail and consumer levels, Food lost at the farm level is tilled back into the soil or sold as animal feed. We conclude that some on-farm losses may prevent more environmentally harmful “waste,” defined here as landfilled Food, further down the supply chain. Our analysis argues for an approach to remedying on-farm Food loss that is both ambitious and cautious—one that recognizes the structural causes of loss and that considers how environmental risks can increase as Food moves downstream.

Francesca Galli - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Food waste reduction and Food poverty alleviation: a system dynamics conceptual model
    Agriculture and Human Values, 2019
    Co-Authors: Francesca Galli, Alessio Cavicchi, Gianluca Brunori
    Abstract:

    The contradictions between Food poverty affecting a large section of the global population and the everyday wastage of Food, particularly in high income countries, have raised significant academic and public attention. All actors in the Food chain have a role to play in Food waste prevention and reduction, including farmers, Food manufacturers and processors, caterers and retailers and ultimately consumers. Food surplus redistribution is considered by many as a partial solution to Food waste reduction and Food poverty mitigation, while others criticize charitable initiatives as inadequate responses, that inhibit governments from responsibly protecting the citizens right to Food. This paper frames Food assistance as “hybrid systems”, situating at the intersection of territorial Food, public welfare and third sector voluntary systems. Based on available literature and reflections on previous research examining Food banks in Italy, we develop a system dynamics conceptual mapping. The aim is to model a set of relations and dynamic mechanisms associated with variables relevant to Food waste generation, Food Recovery for social purposes and Food poverty alleviation. The analysis of feedback interactions highlights the (actual and potential) vulnerabilities of Food assistance systems that occur when addressing Food poverty b y reducing Food surplus. In summary, as the awareness on Food poverty and Food surplus arises, incentives to Food Recovery and redistribution strengthen the role of (voluntary) Food assistance actors, increasing their exposure to drivers of change, such as retailers’ standards for Food surplus prevention. This paper contributes to the current academic debate on charitable Food assistance, with insights for policy makers and other systems’ actors.

  • Addressing Food poverty in systems: governance of Food assistance in three European countries
    Food Security, 2018
    Co-Authors: Aniek Hebinck, Francesca Galli, Brídín Carroll
    Abstract:

    Emergency Food poverty relief is one of the possible entry points to understanding Food poverty in affluent societies, whereas the visibility of Food poverty relief initiatives has evolved, together with large-scale Food Recovery organizations and networks aiming at reducing and valorising surplus in Food systems. There is a substantial diversity of actors and resources involved, resulting in differently shaped initiatives and programs. It can be described as a continuum encompassing third sector initiatives, large and small businesses, and institutional intervention programs: by bringing together institutions, companies, organisations and civil society, public-private Food assistance addresses Food poverty in a way that is not viable by any of these actors alone and by adopting context specific governance arrangements. This paper contributes to this debate with the analysis of governance relations in Food assistance initiatives across different European countries (Italy, The Netherlands and Ireland). By approaching Food assistance from a systems perspective, we further the understanding of these initiatives and their modes of governance. The case studies offer a mapping of Food assistance by identifying functions and outcomes, actors and resources involved, and the links the initiatives have to those elements, thus highlighting where collaborative Food poverty reduction takes place that goes beyond traditional boundaries. Food assistance initiatives are a civil initiated response shaped by and complementing the social welfare and Food systems in which they are embedded. The interpretation of Food assistance functions leads to challenging the boundaries of Food assistance and potentially triggering innovative approaches to improving Food and nutrition security. Discussions show that while they have managed to find innovative and collaborative governance solutions to address the very immediate issues rather effectively, they do not negate the need for Food system transformation to address the ultimate reasons for Food poverty.

  • Exploring scenario guided pathways for Food assistance in Tuscany
    2016
    Co-Authors: Francesca Galli, Sabrina Arcuri, Fabio Bartolini, Joost Vervoort, Gianluca Brunori
    Abstract:

    A growing number of people in high income countries, also from the segments of population once considered secure, seek Food assistance. Diverse Food aid initiatives and practices are developed by a range of actors to tackle Food poverty; alongside traditional difficulties, new challenges emerge from welfare expenditure cuts, the reorganization of EU Funds for the Most Deprived (FEAD) and from the spreading of surplus Food Recovery practices by private companies. Based on a preliminary analysis on Food assistance practices in Tuscany (Italy), it emerged that operators involved in Food assistance activities are reflecting upon future developments: how is Food assistance re-thinking its role to deal with the challenges posed by the current context of change? This work adopts a participatory scenario approach to examine pathways that can be considered robust under uncertainties in the planning context of Food assistance. We combine the strengths of back-casted planning, which develops desirable pathways for the future, and explorative scenarios that describe plausible future contexts. Results comprise the definition of shared priority themes and plans tested across a set of downscaled scenarios. The methodology provides a promising learning tool to engage with stakeholders and foster a creative future oriented thinking approach to Food assistance system’s vulnerability and resilience.

  • Exploring scenario guided pathways for Food assistance in Tuscany
    2016
    Co-Authors: Francesca Galli, Sabrina Arcuri, Fabio Bartolini, Joost Vervoort, Gianluca Brunori
    Abstract:

    Food and nutrition security in high income countries is challenged by financial crisis, austerity policies, unemployment and immigration and a growing number of people, also from those segments of population once considered secure, seek Food assistance. Emergency Food initiatives are developed by a diverse range of actors through various instruments and approaches. Alongside the difficulties of this sector – lack of control over donation, inability to ensure nutritional requirements, stigmatization, dependency on volunteer work – new challenges emerge from welfare expenditure cuts, the reorganization of EU funds for the most deprived (FEAD) and from the spreading of surplus Food Recovery practices. Based on a preliminary analysis on Food assistance practices in Tuscany (Italy), it emerged that operators involved in Food assistance activities are re-thinking their role to address changing needs: private companies are increasingly involved in Food assistance operations and adjust their activities and strategies accordingly; public institutions re-think the boundaries between charitable assistance, welfare system and market-based Food system. How is Food assistance re-thinking its role to deal with the challenges posed by the current context of change? This work combines the strengths of two approaches by developing back-casted pathways and testing them within explorative scenarios, that describe plausible future contexts. The aim is to explore the feasibility of transformative change in different scenarios. We apply a participatory scenario approach, as a tool for future-oriented thinking, mindful of future uncertainty and the multidimensional scope required to look at planning context. Results comprise the definition of shared priority themes: governance, education and a person’s centered approach. For each, key objectives were identified and back-casted plans of actions were developed, considering a suitable time frame. These plans were then tested within and across four different scenarios of the Food assistance system. The methodology provides a promising learning tool to engage with stakeholders and foster a creative future oriented thinking approach to Food assistance system’s vulnerability and resilience.

Leslie Cunningham-sabo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A systems examination of school Food Recovery in Northern Colorado
    Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2020
    Co-Authors: Melissa Pflugh Prescott, Alicia Grove, Marisa Bunning, Leslie Cunningham-sabo
    Abstract:

    Abstract Food Recovery is a key strategy to address Food waste concerns. School nutrition programs have significant amounts of Food waste; yet, little is known about the prevalence and feasibility of school Food Recovery. In this mixed methods study, we identify potential school Food Recovery options and relevant systems factors, such as policies, resources, barriers, and competing priorities. To achieve these objectives, we conducted pre-consumer Food waste audits and measured all wasted Food recovered or landfilled at 14 school kitchens across three Northern Colorado school districts. Additionally, we interviewed professionals engaged in Food Recovery (n = 8) and school nutrition and sustainability staff (n = 20). The results indicate that the majority of Food waste is landfilled, but Food donation through share tables and appropriation of milk to Food banks prior to long school breaks were viewed as the most feasible Food Recovery options. Liability concerns, increased expenses over landfilling, inconsistent wasted Food volumes, and policy confusion hindered Food Recovery. Interviewees also viewed priorities to promote Food safety and quality of recovered Food as barriers. Key facilitators of Food Recovery were the desire to facilitate a cultural change to normalize Food Recovery among students and volunteers or advocates to address the Food Recovery labor needs. Interview participants across the system agreed that the training process required to sort uneaten Foods had secondary benefits of equipping the next generation with environmental stewardship habits. Study findings underscore the interconnected nature of Food safety, economics, and Food Recovery, and also suggest that systems-level solutions are warranted.

  • Characterizing and Assessing the Quality of State K–12 Share Table Policies as a Potential Mechanism to Reduce Food Waste and Promote Food Security
    Journal of nutrition education and behavior, 2020
    Co-Authors: Melissa Pflugh Prescott, Alicia Grove, Marisa Bunning, Leslie Cunningham-sabo
    Abstract:

    Abstract Objective To identify the prevalence of state-level share table policies, assess the quality of available policies, and determine common policy characteristics. Design In this qualitative policy analysis, state-level share table policies and resources were collected from March to June, 2018 from the State Department of Education Child Nutrition Office Web sites and/or staff communication across 50 states and Washington, DC. Variables Measured Frequency of state-level policy documents assessed, as well as the allowable share table items, marketing and outreach guidance, and requirements for health code clearance, critical limits, monitoring, corrective actions, record keeping, redistribution plans, and allergy considerations. Analysis After a deductive analysis approach, each collected policy document was scored on 10 a priori components primarily derived from existing Food safety policies. Descriptive statistics were used to present common policy characteristics. Results About half of the US (n = 27) had a state-level share table policy document. Most states with a policy document (81%; n = 22) allowed unused share table items to be redistributed through reservice, Food donation, or use as a cooked ingredient in future meals. Few states provided adequate guidance on monitoring, corrective actions, record keeping, allergy considerations, and best practices for share table marketing and outreach. Conclusions and Implications The high prevalence of state share table guidance suggests that this is a common Food Recovery strategy. Yet, states differed in allowable share table items and on permitted future use of share table items.