Approximately one-third of all food produced globally is wasted each year, resulting in significant environmental, social, and economic consequences. The European Union is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 (SDG 12.3), which aims to halve per capita food waste at the retail and consumer levels by 2030. In Hungarian households, around 60 kg of food waste is generated per capita annually, of which approximately 40% could be avoided through more conscious consumer behavior. Based on our previous research, households with children generate significantly more food waste than other segments.
The central hypothesis of this research is that children’s dietary intake and the amount of food waste—both at school and at home—are strongly influenced by family awareness and food consumption habits, while the school environment also plays a significant role. The project aims to explore the relationships between home-packed meals, school canteen meals, and food purchased at school, and to assess their impact on both food waste generation and nutritional intake.
The project adopts a novel, integrated approach to examining children’s eating habits and associated food waste in both households and school catering systems. It also investigates the behavioral drivers influencing food-related decisions. The analysis includes direct measurement of food waste using the FUSIONS methodology, assessment of food waste generation across different household types, and evaluation of dietary habits with the involvement of nutrition experts. Based on the primary results, best practices for food waste reduction will be developed and validated within the project.
The expected outcomes of the project have significant societal impact: they will increase consumer awareness, inform national and EU-level policy recommendations on food waste reduction, and support educational programs promoting sustainable food consumption. The results will be directly applicable to the Hungarian “No Leftovers” (Maradék nélkül) national food waste prevention program, as well as to the European Commission DG SANTE Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste.
The novelty of the project lies in its integrated analysis of food waste and dietary patterns. A key strength is its comprehensive methodology, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection to provide a holistic understanding of the issue. By focusing on children and families, the research targets a critical life context in which both household and school environments significantly influence food waste generation. The large-scale data collection, based on the FUSIONS methodology, ensures consistent and reliable data, enabling both national and international comparisons. The innovative analytical framework includes material flow analysis and economic assessment to identify inefficiencies and development opportunities. The project adopts a multi-stakeholder approach, involving parents, teachers, nutrition experts, and psychologists. The identified best practices will be validated through household panels, ensuring practical applicability, scalability, and testing across different contexts.
Overall, the project provides actionable insights and practical solutions, contributing significantly to international efforts to reduce food waste.
Project ID: ADVANCED 151318
Granting authority: National Research, Development and Innovation Office
Duration: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
