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Sustainability Assessment of Out-of-Home Meals: Potentials and Challenges of Applying the Indicator sets NAHGAST Meal-Basic and NAHGAST Meal-Pro

Author

Listed:
  • Tobias Engelmann

    (Faktor 10—Institut für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften gGmbH, 61169 Friedberg, Germany)

  • Melanie Speck

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Holger Rohn

    (Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, University of Applied Sciences, 35390 Gießen, Germany)

  • Katrin Bienge

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Nina Langen

    (Division of Food Consumption/Food Science, Institute of Vocational Education and Work Studies, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Eva Howell

    (Faktor 10—Institut für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften gGmbH, 61169 Friedberg, Germany)

  • Christine Göbel

    (Institute of Sustainable Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Silke Friedrich

    (Institute of Sustainable Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Petra Teitscheid

    (Institute of Sustainable Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany)

  • Jaya Bowry

    (Faktor 10—Institut für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften gGmbH, 61169 Friedberg, Germany)

  • Christa Liedtke

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Silvia Monetti

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

Abstract

Nutrition is responsible for about 30% of global natural resource use. In order to limit the negative impact the nutritional sector has on the environment and on society, the consumption and processing of foodstuffs with assumed low negative impact is an important topic in the effort of sustainable development. In professional kitchens, clearly defined indicators assessing the impact of business activities are needed in this effort. The research and development in the NAHGAST project provides groundwork that could be of important assistance in this effort. Two versions of an assessment tool, with indicators of different complexity (NAHGAST Meal-Basic and NAHGAST Meal-Pro), were developed that can be used by kitchen professionals to determine the sustainability performance of their products—the offered meal. An informed selection of indicators, and a discussion of what processes and impacts this indicator relates to in the wider context, are essential and are discussed in this paper. Furthermore, in the selection of indicators for the purpose of our research certain criteria were considered simultaneously: (1) Communicability—What information an indicator can communicate and how comprehensible this information is for different actors; (2) Feasibility and data availability—Whether there is sufficient data for an indicator to be included and whether it is realistic for companies to integrate this indicator in their daily work practice; and (3) Scientific relevance—Whether the indicator is relevant for sustainability efforts on a larger scale and for related discussions in the scientific community. Insights related to these considerations are valuable for future developments in sustainability assessment in out-of-home gastronomy. The tool has been used to evaluate a number of dishes and results are deemed meaningful. However, assessments must not be understood as an accurate measurement but as an approximation of the sustainability of meals. At the level of individual indicators, they allow a detailed analysis and targeted optimization of recipes, while the aggregated results in the form of labels can be communicated well to customers. However, deficiencies and challenges, as discovered in the application phase of the project, demonstrate research gaps in the wider context. Finally, further steps for an integration of the tool in company processes and remaining options for companies to adjust the tool are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Engelmann & Melanie Speck & Holger Rohn & Katrin Bienge & Nina Langen & Eva Howell & Christine Göbel & Silke Friedrich & Petra Teitscheid & Jaya Bowry & Christa Liedtke & Silvia Monetti, 2018. "Sustainability Assessment of Out-of-Home Meals: Potentials and Challenges of Applying the Indicator sets NAHGAST Meal-Basic and NAHGAST Meal-Pro," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-22, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:2:p:562-:d:132965
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tom Waas & Jean Hugé & Thomas Block & Tarah Wright & Francisco Benitez-Capistros & Aviel Verbruggen, 2014. "Sustainability Assessment and Indicators: Tools in a Decision-Making Strategy for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-23, August.
    2. Spangenberg, Joachim H. & Bonniot, Odile, 1998. "Sustainability indicators: A compass on the road towards sustainability," Wuppertal Papers 81, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.
    3. Engelmann, Tobias & Speck, Melanie & Rohn, Holger & Bienge, Katrin & Langen, Nina & Howell, Eva & Göbel, Christine & Friedrich, Silke & Teitscheid, Petra & Liedtke, Christa, 2017. "Sustainability assessment of out of-of-home meals: poten-tials and obstacles applying indicator sets NAHGAST Meal-Basis and NAHGAST Meal-Pro," 2018 International European Forum (163rd EAAE Seminar), February 5-9, 2018, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 276927, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    4. Tom Waas & Jean Huge & Thomas BLOCK & Tarah Wright & Francisco Javier Benitez Capistros & Aviel Verbruggen, 2014. "Sustainability assessment and indicators: Tools in a decision-making strategy for sustainable development," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/189410, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    5. David Tilman & Michael Clark, 2014. "Global diets link environmental sustainability and human health," Nature, Nature, vol. 515(7528), pages 518-522, November.
    6. Langen, Nina & Bauske, Emily & Dubral, Ricarda & Göbel, Christine & Speck, Melanie & Engelmann, Tobias & Rohn, Holger & Teitscheid, Petra, 2017. "Interventions to Guide Consumers towards Sustainable Nutrition out-of-home – the Perspective of Caterers vs. Guests," 2018 International European Forum (163rd EAAE Seminar), February 5-9, 2018, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 276928, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karin Höijer & Caroline Lindö & Arwa Mustafa & Maria Nyberg & Viktoria Olsson & Elisabet Rothenberg & Hanna Sepp & Karin Wendin, 2020. "Health and Sustainability in Public Meals—An Explorative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Sebastian Kretschmer & Sheena Dehm, 2021. "Sustainability Transitions in University Food Service—A Living Lab Approach of Locavore Meal Planning and Procurement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-31, June.

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