Fruit, vegetable mandates in schools result in less consumption, more waste

National mandates requiring the distribution of fruits and vegetables as part of school lunches in the United States decreased the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed by 12% and increased the amount of food wasted by 35%, according to a recent report.

“Children consumed fewer fruits and vegetables and wasted more fruits and vegetables during the school year immediately following implementation of the USDA rule that required them to take one fruit or vegetable at lunch,” researcher Sarah A. Amin, PhD, MPH, of the department of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Vermont, and colleagues wrote. “Because more children did not even taste the fruits and vegetables they chose at lunch when required in the current study, school nutrition professionals need strategies to encourage children to try the unfamiliar fruits and vegetables they select.”

To measure the effectiveness of fruit and vegetable mandates, the researchers observed two school cafeterias a combined 10 times before the requirements were implemented. They then conducted 11 more visits after the USDA issued the mandate in 2012. The researchers randomly monitored students by weighing lunch trays, observing food selections via digital imaging and measuring food waste.

Results showed that more students selected fruits and vegetables in higher volumes when they were mandated compared with when they were optional (0.69 cups vs. 0.89 cups; P < .001). Nevertheless, this resulted in more wasted fruits and vegetables (0.25 cups vs. 0.39 cups; P < .001) and less consumption (0.51 cups vs. 0.45 cups; P = .01).

“It was heartbreaking to see so many students toss fruits like apples into the trash right after exiting the lunch line,” Amin said in a news release.

When fruits and vegetables were optional, 15.7% of lunch trays did not contain them, compared with 2.5% when they were required. Twelve percent of students, however, did not consume their selection after the mandate vs. 4% before implementation.

The researchers suggested that school programs should be improved to better educate and expose students to fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as encourage consumption within the home, as opposed to mandating healthy food selections.

“Changes to school meal policies may reinforce positive behaviors in children, such as the “Smart Snacks in Schools” policy, which sets limits on the amount of calories, salt, sugars, and fat contained in school snacks,” Amin and colleagues wrote. – by David Costill

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.