Comparison of Centralized and Conventional Food Production Systems in School Districts Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare performance of conventional and centralized food production systems in terms of the overall Child Nutrition Program (CNP) goal by using the performance criteria model developed by Hwang and Sneed (2007). By using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), relative performance scores of each production system were calculated based on comparisons made by school food service directors who managed both production systems within the same school district. Results of this study indicate that centralized food production systems may be better for achieving the overall CNP goal regardless of the level of centralization in food production. In addition, performance of the two systems for each performance criterion is discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• food production system
• performance criteria
• school food service
• Analytic Hierarchy Process
• conventional food product

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