Food Waste Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavioral Intentions among University Students

After policy change, educational programming has been cited as one of the most powerful tools for improving food systems and decreasing food waste. University students represent a population in which emerging habits, skills, and identity may be targeted easily and changed through on-campus educational programming. To understand how to best implement programming on impacts of food, food waste, and related issues, the factors that underlie students’ behaviors related to food waste must be understood. We analyzed factors that influence food waste–related behaviors within a university student population to understand the potential for improving targeted, school-based food waste diversion programming. Four hundred and ninety-five students were surveyed to: (1) identify self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors a * Corresponding author: Manar A. Alattar, Department of Environmental Science & Management, Portland State University; P.O. Box 751; Portland, OR 97207 USA; manaraalattar@gmail.com Alattar’s present addresses are Department of Biology, Portland Community College; 12000 SW 49th Ave.; Portland, OR 97219 USA; and Environmental Studies Department, University of Portland; 5000 N. Willamette Blvd.; Portland,