Kentucky University research project helps reduce food waste

Food waste and food insecurity are challenges in Kentucky and throughout the United States. A research project conducted by a University of Kentucky undergraduate student shows that a student-led UK program is succeeding in efforts to reduce the rate of both.

Kendra Oo, a UK senior from Myanmar, studied the effectiveness of the summer gleaning program of the Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky, a program in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. It is part of the national Campus Kitchens Project.

In partnership with GleanKy, UK students gather leftover produce from a variety of sources. They use the produce to prepare meals for food insecure groups around Lexington.

From May to August 2016, Oo found that UK students gleaned 1,755 pounds of produce from the UK’s Horticulture Research Farm, The Arboretum, the Lexington Farmers Market and Lucky’s Market. This amount came in the form of 57 different types of fruits and vegetables. Based on U.S. Department of Agriculture food analysis reports, Oo found, as a whole, the gleaned produce was nutritious, providing an excellent source of vitamins and phytonutrients to the group’s clients.

Some of the food went to Building Blocks for Healthy Kids Program, a summer program for food insecure children in Lexington. Oo made weekly visits to Building Blocks for six weeks. Each time she met with the children, she asked them to participate in an educational activity and nutrition lesson aimed to help participants make healthier food choices.

source: kyforward.com