Identify special dietary needs and preferences of various consumer groups.

Identification should include

  • classifying the needs for medical diets, including those guided by allergies
  • identifying diets guided by religious traditions (e.g., kosher, halal)
  • analyzing personal-choice diets (e.g., vegetarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo, vegan).

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

  • What are common food allergies?
  • What are the different vegetarian diets?
  • How can one plan, prepare, and serve foods that meet the nutritional needs of persons with special dietary needs and preferences?

Communication

  • How can a food operation communicate its desire to meet the needs of vegetarians, diabetics, religious groups, and other special groups?
  • How can a food operation communicate to customers the ingredients and cooking methods used to prepare food?
  • Why is it important for employees to know the ingredients in the food products being served?

Leadership

  • What responsibility do leaders have to offer healthy, nutritional meals that reflect the needs and preferences of the customers?
  • How can leaders set goals for the food operation that are realistic and appropriate for customers?

Management

  • What information does management need to create successful menus for customers?
  • Why should management be aware of common allergic reactions to foods?
  • What first-aid training should employees have to address adverse reactions to food?

Teacher Resources: