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Purpose: Public sector catering outlets have been proposed as ideal places to try new sustainable food choice interventions. We report on promotions conducted as part of a “Living Lab” at the University of Sheffield Students Union during 2019.\ud \ud Methodology: Activities include 1) a survey of dietary habits, attitudes and knowledge of staff and students (n=643). 2) A low environmental impact indicator logo was created and implemented in different ways across four food outlets in the Students Union (some outlets also provided information in dining areas). 3) Sales data (intervention period and the same period in the previous year) were analysed. 4) On the day of the global Climate Strikes (20th September 2019), a food outlet introduced additional one-day-only promotions on low impact menu options; sales impact was assessed.\ud \ud Findings: An average of 39.4% of respondents recalled the low environmental impact indicator logo. There was a significant increase in use of oat milk compared to 2018, but non significant changes to other low and medium impact food sales. In one outlet, high impact items had the greatest total value of sales in 2018, whereas in 2019 medium impact foods had the greatest value of sales, suggesting a positive trend towards less impactful food choices. The Climate Strike intervention saw a decrease in beef burger sales and an increase in chicken and meat-free burger sales.\ud \ud Originality/value: This paper covers interventions to promote sustainable food choices and their efficacy across a University with ideas for future avenues of research.

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Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of different timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols on pregnancy rate (PR) in water buffaloes (.Bubalus bubalis). In experiment 1 the efficacy of a modified ovsynch/GnRH and progesterone-based TAI protocols was evaluated. Buffalo cows and heifers (N = 38) assigned to Treatment 1 (n=19; ovsynch/GnRH), received an injection of progesterone (200 mg, i.m., day-3), three (3) days later (day 0) these animals received an injection of GnRH (Cystorelin, 100 Mg, i.m.). Buffaloes assigned to Treatment 2 (n=19; progesterone/CIDR-based), received a CIDR device (1.8 g of progesterone, Pfizer, Mexico) on Day 0. On Day 7, the CIDR device was removed and all buffaloes (N=38) were injected with PGF2a (Lutalyse, 25 mg, i.m, 5 ml/animal i.m; Pfizer Corporation, New York, NY). Thirty (30) hours after injection with PGF2a all animals were injected with estrogen (estradiol benzoate, 500 ug, i.m.), and 30 h later (60 h post PGF2a) all animals were inseminated. Mean pregnancy rate was numerically higher in progesterone based (21%) than in GnRH-based (10.5%), though differences did not attain statistical significance. Experiment 2 evaluated the effectiveness of different ovulation synchronizing treatments. Buffaloes (N=32) were fitted with a controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR; 1.8g progesterone, Pfizer) devices for seven days and injected with prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a)· Forty eight (48) hours later (Day 9) animals were randomly assigned to receive an injection of either estrogen (estradiol benzoate 500 Mg, i.m.; η = 16) or GnRH (Cystorelin 100 Mg, im; n=16). All animals were inseminated 24 h later (72 h post PGF2a)· The mean pregnancy rate obtained was 25% and was not affected type of ovulation synchronizing treatment or parity. Experiment 3 evaluated the necessity of using an ovulation synchronizing agent in TAI protocols, and the effect of time of insemination on the PR. Water buffaloes (N=34) were treated as in experiment 1 except 48 h after insert removal animals were randomly assigned to receive either saline (n=21) or GnRH (n=13). Within treatment groups buffaloes were randomly assigned to be inseminated at 60, 72 or both 60 and 72 h after progesterone withdrawal. The mean pregnancy rate (41.2%) was not affected by the use of GnRH as an ovulation synchronizing agent. The PR of animals inseminated 72 h after CIDR removal tended to be higher (P =.10, 67%) than animals inseminated at 60 or at both 60 and 72 h after progesterone removal. PR also varied significantly with inseminator. The use of CIDR-based TAI protocols with insemination at 72 h after insert removal may be practical tool in the management of reproduction in water buffaloes in the tropics.

Large structural shifts in the global economy are causing a dramatic rise in the price of food. Since 1994, food prices in Trinidad and Tobago have risen above 350%, faster than the price of other items. From March 2006 to 2007, the food component of the retail price index increased by 19% whilst the overall price index increased by 8%. Sizable and fluctuating price differences have been recorded between wholesale and retail prices. This paper looks at the development of retail food prices, its causes, the potential impact in terms of food security and possible policy recommendations. Through time series analysis, price margins and time lags are examined to determine the nature and lag of the response in municipal and retail price changes to wholesale prices. Non-linear hedonic models are estimated using auction price and quality data for specific commodities and markets to examine whether buyers have systematic preferences for specific attributes (weight, market class, sales lot size, market location and timing of sale) and whether they pay significantly different prices for these attributes consistent with their preferences. The results show that the price transmission between wholesale and retail happens in the same week and that price asymmetry, i.e., the different transmission of price increases compared with price decreases, is present for most products. Products characterized by relatively more standardization and homogeneity are shown to have lower retail margins and to behave symmetrically. The results also indicate that buyers have systematic preferences for specific product attributes and that these preferences are implicitly reflected in prices offered in traditional auction markets. The results underscore the need for increased producer supply response to capitalize on the opportunity offered by higher commodity prices by targeting specific attributes and by better timing production and marketing undertakings.

The qualitative research aimed to investigate the feasibility of using home service as a means of raising levels of financial literacy and providing support services for the financially excluded. It was recognised in the proposal that home service provision for savings was in decline. However, when the research began, approximately two years after the proposal had been written, very little industrial branch, home service insurance was still in existence. Also, unfortunately, the one large company still operating in the field (which has subsequently closed for new business) refused the researchers access. Therefore the objectives were changed to include an investigation of the demise of industrial branch insurance and its implications. Nevertheless, in-depth research was carried out with three organisations that offered new business to clients. In finding that a sub-prime or near-prime market for credit delivered at the home, either through face-to-face or electronic media, was expanding dramatically, efforts were rebalanced in this area to investigate their implications for financial literacy and social exclusion. The research also aimed to examine changes in financial regulation that might balance the aim of improving financial literacy for marginal groups but meet the demands of providers for some margin of profit at the lower end of the market. Researchers followed a pilot for a modified ordinary branch sales process testing out the delivery system for new, lower cost products due to come online later in 2004.