The Assessment of Foodservice Management Practices in Elementary School Foodservices

Kim, Eun Kyung; Kang, Myung Hue; Kim, Eun Mi; Hong, Wan Soo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the foodservice management practices in elementary school in order to provide basic information for an efficient foodservice management. A self completed questionnaire survey of 912 schools in Korea was undertaken. Survey questionnaires consisted of 4 parts including general background, foodservice practices, purchasing practices and the status of cooking facilities and equipments. The main results of the empirical survey were as follows. 1. Elementary schools categorized by location were in urban areas (38.2%), provincial areas (48.0%) and in isolated areas (13.8%). 2. Conventional schools were 72.4% of the total followed by commissary management schools(23.5%) and commissary schools(4.1%). 3. The major factors considered for menu planning were nutritional adequacy(77.4%), preference of children(50.8%), food cost(46.0%), and cooking facilities & equipments in order. 4. The average cost of school lunch in provincial areas was 1494.8+/-224.9 won followed by in isolated areas (1337.0+/-793.3won) and in large cities (1271.4+/-308.1won). The average food cost of lunch was approximately 950won with no significant difference by location of schools. 5. 60% processed food were purchased through retailers in schools located in provincial and isolated areas, whereas 6.6% in schools located in urban areas. Food groups such as meat and its processed food, poultries, fish & shellfish, fruits and vegetables were more purchased through wholesalers in schools located in urban areas than in provincial and isolated areas. 6. Cereals including rice were regularily purchased once a month, whereas of other food items were found to be daily purchased in school located in urban and provincial areas.