7 School Level – More Information
School Level – Existing Tools
The table below provides detailed information on the tools relevant to the institutional level. It includes the source or a direct link to the tool when available. In some cases, tools are listed without a specific link, as their exact location was not specified in the original source. However, it is still important to acknowledge the existence of these tools for relevant indicators.
Where the author of a tool is listed, the full citation can be found in the reference list. If readers are unable to locate a particular source, they are encouraged to contact a school food researcher for further assistance. Blank spaces in the table indicate areas where additional research is needed, either because the tool could not be located or because further development is required. In instances where we were unable to find a tool, we have noted this as “Unable to locate,” and where requests have been sent to locate a tool, it is indicated accordingly.
This section aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing tools while highlighting the gaps that future research can address. However, it is crucial to note that guidance on analyzing and interpreting the results of these tools is currently missing. Future versions should work towards including a robust framework for interpreting the data generated by these tools, ensuring that users can draw meaningful conclusions from the results.
Note: When measuring food waste in schools, researchers should understand that while it’s a useful indicator, schools also provide a space where students can try new foods. Children from food-insecure households may have limited chances to try new, healthy foods at home due to cost. School programs play an important role in this process since it can take several attempts for a child to accept new foods (Daniel, 2016). Although food waste might be higher at first, allowing for this waste is key to helping students develop long-term healthy eating habits (Everitt, 2019).
| School Level | ||||
| Evaluation type: Outcome | ||||
| Indicator | Tool | Application of Tool | Past Applications of Tool in Research | Location of Tool |
| Cost of Meal Served per Student | ||||
| Cost of Serving Meals | ||||
| Number of Food Options Offered | ||||
| Sustianability of Food Produced | ||||
| Evaluation Type Process | ||||
| Indicator | Tool | Application of Tool | Past Applications of Tool in Research | Location of Tool |
| Adequate Time Allocated for Eating | ||||
| Amount of Food Waste Produced by School | Food Waste Audit | This tool was developed to show students how to calculate waste per person and percent waste of a food item during a food audit. | This tool was developed by CEC to show students a more in depth way to perform their own food waste audit. | This tool can be found using this link |
| School Waste Audit | This tool was developed to assess the amount and types of waste produced at school to help recognize and reduce waste | This tool was developed by EcoSchools Canada to help schools complete their own school waste audits | Unable to locate. | |
| Simple Student Food Waste Audit | This tool was developed to show students how to separate their food waste, then categorize and weigh it to see what they are throwing out and how much is wasted. | This tool was developed by CEC to show students a simple way to perform their own food waste audit. | This tool can be found using this link | |
| Institional Support and Resources for Food Skills Education | ||||
| Number of Paid Staff Hours to Run the Program | ||||
| Hours/Capacity of Staff, Volunteers, Student Helpers | ||||
| Quality/Amount of Kitchen and Service Equipment | ||||
| Payment Models | ||||
| Program Delivery (Universal vs Targeted) | ||||
| School Community Infastructure | ||||
| School Food Quality Policy Adherance | ||||
References
Daniel, C. (2016). Economic constraints on taste formation and the true cost of healthy eating. Social Science and Medicine, 148, 34-41. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.11.025
EcoSchool Canada (n.d.). School waste audit, an investigation into school waste. School Waste Audit (Fillable) (ecoschools.ca)
Everitt, T. (2019) Improving nutrition intake through environmentally sustainable school food programs. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Saskatchewan] University of Saskatchewan Department of Community Health and Epidemiology.
CEC (2019). Food matters action kit: inspiring youth across North America to prevent food waste and help save our planet. Food Matters Action Kit (cec.org)
