School Nutrition Services (SNS) Research

Publication: JAND

Date Published: January 2017

Reference: 

Younger Elementary School Students Waste More School Lunch Foods than Older Elementary School Students
Niaki, Shahrbanou F. et al.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 117, Issue 1, 95 - 101

Key Takeaways: Research observed 568 lunch trays from eight elementary schools in Houston, Texas, in the spring of 2013. The study categorized students into three different groups. Kindergarten and Grade 1 (K–Gr1), Grades 2 and 3 (Gr2–3), and Grades 4 and 5 (Gr4–5). The results showed that students from grade 1 (K-Gr1) consumed fewer calories and wasted more food in total, including red-orange vegetables, grains, and protein items, compared to the upper grades. Study suggests that grade level is a significant factor influencing food consumption and waste in school lunch programs.

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