Sustainable and Acceptable School Meals Through Optimization Analysis: An Intervention Study, published in The International Journal of Progressive Research in Science and Engineering, explores how linear optimization can be applied to develop environmentally sustainable, nutritionally adequate, and affordable school lunch menus. The study, conducted in Swedish schools, achieved a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) while maintaining nutritional standards and lowering costs by 11%. The intervention had no significant impact on food waste, consumption, or students' satisfaction. The research shows that optimized menus can promote health and environmental sustainability without compromising affordability or satisfaction, offering flexibility for wider application in public meal services.
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