Investigating food waste generation at long-term care facilities in Ontario

PurposeThis research aims to investigate the sources of food waste generation at two long-term care (LTC) homes located in Canada. Given the distinctive regulatory and operational context LTC's work within there is an opportunity that unique causes of food waste exist.Design/methodology/approachAn initial audit using the Food Delivery System Framework determined the most appropriate method to measure food waste for this study was a quantitative approach supported by field observations.FindingsResults of the study show a significant food waste of over 55% at both facilities. Investigation into the generation of this waste isolated the major cause being government policy ensuring patients at these facilities are offered choices throughout the meal selection process. Plate waste was generated because of additional policies guaranteeing pre-determined nutritional and caloric intakes for each patient.Practical implicationsThese findings put into question the operating practices involved with adhering to policies on the choice of food. Ethical questions are raised pitting a patient's "quality of life" versus the environmental impact of the waste generated because of policies. Field observations note a "throw away culture" and an absence of established foodservice management practices that create a lack of awareness and attention to the issue of food waste.Originality/valueMost studies of food waste in healthcare facilities have looked at caloric and nutritional loss from a patient's point of view. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is one of the first to look at the causes of food waste generation in these operations.