MINIMIZE VEGETABLE WASTAGE AT HOUSEHOLD STORAGE: A PILOT STUDY USING A REMINDER NOTIFICATION APPROACH

Abstract

Food wastage at the household level is a substantial contributor to the overall challenge of global food waste. Recognizing the significance of minimizing vegetable waste in households, this study delves into the complexities of vegetable wastage at the household storage level. The primary objective is to devise strategies for reducing vegetable wastage by providing guidelines for storage arrangements at the household level, employing a reminder notification approach as a central intervention. The research methodology employed a purposive sample technique, selecting fifty households engaged in weekly vegetable purchases from the Matara and Kamburupitya DS divisions. Data collection involved the administration of structured questionnaires. As part of the intervention, the project introduced a three-color scheme for organizing vegetables within refrigerators. The study unfolded in two phases: an initial examination of current vegetable storage practices in households followed by the implementation of the reminder notification approach, with subsequent evaluation of its impact on vegetable storage practices. The findings of the study illuminated a positive correlation between the color-coded system and heightened participant awareness regarding the freshness of vegetables in the refrigerator. Furthermore, the results underscored the significant and favorable impact of the reminder notification approach on reducing vegetable wastage at the household storage level.