Kansas City Food Blog

​College students may have to find new sleds this winter, as more cafeterias are considering a move towards trayless meals. The growing trend is based out of a two-fold desire: It can help cut costs for service and improve a university's image in terms of environmental awareness.

In addition to the financial savings, university officials believe that cutting out trays can help curb food waste by as much as 30 percent. Pomona College Dean of Students Miriam Feldblum talked to the Los Angeles Times about unconscious waste:

"When you ask people, 'How often do you put something on your tray that you wind up not eating?' they'll think about it and say, 'Quite often," she said. "It's rare someone will say, 'I eat everything on my tray.'"

Sodexo, a major food services provider to colleges, is eyeing trayless dining as one of a series of sustainability measures designed to cut costs while eliminating plastic waste. Sodexo is also testing reusable to-go containers rather than one-time plastic boxes. 

In looking at whether this trend has extended to local universities, the Barf Blog talked to Sheryll Klobasa, director of the Kramer Dining Center at Kansas State University, about the disadvantages and advantages of eliminating trays. While she acknowledged that food services has discussed a switch, the facility changes required to keep the cafeteria running might outweigh potential benefits.

Outside of KSU, it remains to be seen whether this trend will be picked up in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as corporate cafeterias. It might be too aggressive for fast food establishments, where our goal is to get the food to our mouths as quickly as possible. Although it's already difficult to carry a 64 oz. drink on a tray, so maybe this idea has some promise.

[Image via Flickr: pathfinder linden]