Household Food Waste: Unassociated with Veteran Status

Abstract

Food waste is a significant issue with environmental and economic implications. This study investigates the impact of veteran status on household food waste, hypothesizing that veteran households generate less food waste than the general population. Using data from the Ohio State/RECIPES National Household Food Waste Tracking Survey, differences in total food discard weight and waste composition between veteran and non-veteran households were analyzed. Findings indicate no statistically significant difference in overall food waste patterns between the two groups. Regression analysis reveals that income and participation in SNAP benefits are more predictive of food waste than veteran status. Additionally, attitudinal factors, such as perceptions of food waste’s ethical and national impact, influence discard behavior. Given the similarities in waste trends, we recommend that federal food waste reduction initiatives maintain a broad focus rather than tailoring interventions specifically for veteran households. Future research should explore food waste behaviors among active-duty military personnel and waste reduction strategies in military dining facilities (DFACs).No embargoAcademic Major: Agribusiness and Applied Economic