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. 2024 Oct 14;47(3):e1089.
doi: 10.23938/ASSN.1089.

Fruit and vegetables loss and waste in preschools belonging to the National Board of Kindergartens of Chile

Ximena Rodríguez Palleres  1 , Claudio Villota Arcos  2 , Álvaro Toledo San Martín  3 , Fancy Rojas González  4 , Juan Manuel Castagnini  1
Affiliations

Fruit and vegetables loss and waste in preschools belonging to the National Board of Kindergartens of Chile

Ximena Rodríguez Palleres et al. An Sist Sanit Navar. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Background: Food waste is a global issue affecting society from environmental, nutritional, and social perspectives. In collaboration with the National Board of Preschools, fruit and vegetable waste generated during the preparation of lunch was quantified in four preschools in the Metropolitan area of Santiago in Chile.

Methods: This study was conducted in four preschools, two in the Western area of Santiago and two in the Eastern area, of which two hold environmental quality certifications. Over a five-day period, the weight of raw materials and waste from vegetables (peels) and fruit (pomace) were measured. Percentages of vegetable and fruit post-cleaning losses and waste were evaluated.

Results: Vegetable loss exceeded 20% in 31% of the preschools, primarily from carrots and potatoes. Fruit losses were higher, with pears accounting for the most significant waste, recorded in 75% of the study centers. No differences in vegetable loss was found between centers, while variations were observed for fruit. Preschools with environmental quality certifications wasted less onions (p = 0.016) but more pears (p = 0.036).

Conclusions: There is higher fruit loss than vegetable loss, with onions and tomatoes being the least wasted. Possessing an environmental quality certification does not guarantee a significant reduction in overall losses. Handling and storage conditions may play a key role in minimizing losses. Further studies are needed to provide evidence that can guide improvements in Chile's National Board of Preschools services, aiming for a more sustainable lunch preparation processes.

Fundamento:: Los desperdicios de alimentos son un problema global y afectan a toda la sociedad desde una perspectiva ambiental, nutricional y social. En colaboración con la Junta Nacional de Jardines Infantiles, se cuantificó el desperdicio de frutas y verduras durante la elaboración de raciones en cuatro jardines infantiles de la Región Metropolitana de Santiago en Chile.

Metodología:: Se seleccionaron cuatro jardines infantiles, dos con sello de calidad ambiental. Durante cinco días se pesaron la materia prima y los desperdicios de verduras/hortalizas (peladuras) y frutas (pulpa), y se calculó el porcentaje de pérdida post limpieza.

Resultados:: Las pérdidas de verduras/hortalizas fueron > 20% en el 31% de los centros, especialmente en el caso de zanahorias y patatas; las pérdidas de fruta fueron superiores, especialmente en el caso de las peras, en el 75% de los centros. No hubo diferencias entre centros para pérdidas de verduras/hortalizas, pero sí para ambos tipos de fruta. Los centros con sello ambiental desperdiciaron menos cebollas (p = 0,016) y más peras (0,036).

Conclusiones:: Se observa mayor pérdida de fruta que de verduras/hortalizas, siendo las cebollas y los tomates los menos desperdiciados. Estar en posesión del sello medioambiental no se relaciona a una reducción significativa de pérdidas, excepto en el caso de las cebollas. La manipulación y las condiciones de conservación podrían ser determinantes para la reducción de desperdicios. Se necesitan más estudios que recolecten evidencia que permita proponer mejoras en los servicios de Junta Nacional de Jardines Infantiles para lograr un proceso de elaboración de raciones de comida más sostenibles.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: The authors express that there is no conflict of interest in writing this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Location of the four preschools included in the study within the Metropolitan Area of Chile. Preschools 3 and 4 hold an environmental quality certification.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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