A importância das tecnologias digitais de informação e comunicação em campanhas de conscientização para a redução do desperdício de alimentos no Restaurante Universitário da UFU

Abstract

This paper aims to verify the importance of using Digital Information and Communication Technologies (DICTs) in awareness campaigns concerning the reduction of food waste at the University Restaurant from the Federal University of Uberlândia. At first, it was created an online campaign called “Raspei o Prato” at the social media Instagram©, in which the participants who frequented the Universitary Restaurant had to share photos of the their dishes before the meal and after it without leftovers, in order to raise awareness and encourage more people to engage the campaign. Then, it was applied a questionnaire about the perceptions that the participants had about the developed action. A total of 136 students participated in the study, being the majority females. About the DICTs, it was noted that the smartphones were the most used by the participants, then appears the computers and the less used, the television. The results indicates that a 100% of the participants considers that awareness campaigns to the reduction of food waste are important, and 99,26% believes that social media can be an effective tool for creating and disseminating this kind of campaign. Also, it was noted that the participants have a tendency to be influenced by online campaigns and a growing interest about the theme in the academic context. In conclusion, DICTs can be considered effective interventions concerning the food waste which reinforces the importance of the issue in a Food and Nutrition Unit.