Research & Practice
Decreasing Food Waste at the City of Seattle Summer Meal Service Program
The purpose of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is to “connect people with resources and solutions during times of need so we can all live, learn, work, and take part in strong, healthy communities.” HSD provides food and nutrition assistance and discounts, services for the aging and disabled, support for crime victims, wrap-around services for youth and young adults, among others. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was established to ensure that children receive nutritious meals in the summer months while school is not in session, and offers breakfast, lunch, and snacks during summer months for Seattle youth 18 and younger.
This practicum combined site observation and staff interviews to explore upstream causes of food waste at SFSP. Deliverables included a detailed write-up of all findings, organized by key themes, with each finding then paired with one or more proposed solutions to address the cause of food waste. A detailed presentation was also created for relevant stakeholders within the City of Seattle. The City of Seattle will use the resulting information from this practicum during SFSP planning to help minimize food waste in future years.
Materials Available
Project Type(s): MPH Practicum
Author(s): Fernanda Nunes
Program(s): Master of Public Health
Year: 2026
Adviser(s):