Food Redistribution Research Articles

Achieving an equitable circular food economy in Vancouver

ABSTRACT Food loss and waste occur at an alarming rate while many households in the City of Vancouver are food insecure. Set within the context of City of Vancouver’s Zero Waste 2040 long-term strategic plan, the City seeks to promote a circular economy, including through food waste reduction and prevention, better food redistribution, and partaking in awareness campaigns. Food rescue and redistribution is often framed as a win–win solution to avoid throwing unwanted, unmarketable, or surplus foods from the landfill and instead redistributing the food to those who are food insecure. This solution has been framed as a useful tool to promote a circular economy. However, both food waste and food studies scholars have rightly noted that connecting unwanted foods with those who are food insecure to address systemic hunger is not a panacea, nor is it a systemic solution to prevent food waste. Drawing on key informant interviews with agri-food experts across the system (n = 20), this study identified the challenges, opportunities, and the overall vision of the circular food economy and how it is mobilised in the City of Vancouver. It seeks to understand how equity factors into the vision of a circular food economy and its implementation by agri-food and relevant actors. The findings in this study highlight the importance of dynamic governance systems that targets critical points for change including regulation, funding, and capacity building to ensure a circular food economy that considers equity and justice.

An exploration of community food pantries in Scotland: strategic and operational perspectives on addressing food insecurity and health inequalities

Introduction: Food insecurity and health are inextricably linked. Since 2008, Scotland has witnessed a proliferation of both food insecurity and emergency food provision. There is a recognised commitment from Scottish Government to ‘end the need for food banks’, however, the food aid landscape was ‘turbo-charged’ during COVID-19 leading to intense expansion and diversification of food-based projects, including the development of community food pantries (CFPs). These ‘new’ models are relatively under-researched, meaning we do not adequately understand their potential or realised impacts on food insecurity and health. This study aims to fill that gap.MethodsA qualitative methodology was used to collect and analyse data from in-depth interviews with 10 representatives from both operational and policy settings related to food insecurity in Scotland. In addition, we conducted an analysis of policy documentation from Scottish Government related to tackling food insecurity to understand how CFPs fit into its overall strategy to transition away from food bank use.ResultsWe found there were variations in conceptualisations of CFPs and how they operate, challenges related to addressing food insecurity at a community level and varied narratives around the role of community level interventions in tackling health inequalities. Choice and access to services were viewed as central components to the pantry model. However, there were significant challenges faced by CFPs, including territorialism, funding and food supply. Articulations of health were often multi-layered and complicated with strong recognition of the social determinants as well as acknowledgement of the limitations of tackling food insecurity and health inequalities solely at the community level.ConclusionsDespite a commitment to transition away from emergency food provision, CFPs in Scotland appear to face many of the same issues as food banks, particularly those which impact health. Urgent critique of their reliance on surplus food redistribution is required alongside investigation of how these ‘new’ models are experienced by the people who access them. Further expansion of these models should be viewed with caution and in the same vein as traditional emergency food provision: a symptom of, rather than a solution to, the problem of food insecurity.

Assessing the Regularity of Food Donation Operations during Covid-19

This paper examines how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted food donation efforts. Due to closures and economic hardships, more people rely on food banks for assistance. Various industries have stepped up to support food recovery and combat food insecurity. the study involved in-depth interviews with eight food donors to assess the prevalence of food donation activities. Through the interviews, the study identified the regularity of food donation activities that considered activities conducted with food banks. The findings suggest that food donors should partner with appropriate charities to improve their food redistribution systems and benefit the community and the environment.

Wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Milan: Turning food surpluses into environmental gains

Food redistribution is increasingly recognized as a key strategy for tackling food waste and improving food security. However, a comprehensive assessment of its environmental impacts remains a challenge. This study fills this gap by investigating the role of food redistribution in minimizing waste, reducing production pressures, and mitigating the environmental impacts of the agri-food chain. In particular, this research focuses on mapping the flow of recovered food within the Ortomercato system, Italy's largest fruit and vegetable wholesale market, by third sector associations.A comprehensive cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment was conducted to quantify the recovered fruit and vegetable products, assess their environmental impact, and estimate the associated environmental credits through the prevention of food waste.The findings indicate that the production phase has the largest environmental impact, accounting on average for 63% of the total impact. The study employs a net balance approach to demonstrate the success of food recovery efforts, which have saved over 136 tonnes of food from the market over a 49-day period and generated environmental credits equivalent to 169 tonnes of CO2 eq. per year. These results highlight the environmental impact of food redistribution and provide insights for operational optimization and the establishment of an environmental budget for the system. Furthermore, the potential for regulating these environmental credits and promoting the benefits of food redistribution through public channels is highlighted.While the research addresses the mapping of food flows and their environmental impacts, there is a significant gap in the assessment of the socio-economic impacts associated with food redistribution. Further research is needed to understand how this practice affects local communities, economies and social dynamics, and to contribute to a more comprehensive assessment of its effectiveness.

A View on a PHP-Based Project for A Donation and Waste Food Management System

Food waste is a problem that affects everyone. People are impacted anywhere it is present, including in our homes, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, places of business, and even in transportation. With the help of this software, hotels can give leftover food to those in need while reducing food waste. With the help of this software, users may sign up, log in, see, add, and remove products from their carts, and then log out of the system. Additionally, this software contained a real-time database. Through this app, food donors may enter information about their donations, and NGO volunteers can see the photographs of the food that each donor has contributed. Food waste is a widespread issue in our culture. Management of food waste is essential since it may increase our sustainability both economically and environmentally. We have determined how mobile technology may be used to minimize food waste management, and we have developed an android mobile application that enables restaurants or individual users to share and donate their leftover food with those in need. We intended to complete this project in order to use an Android application to lessen food waste. The visitor may log in and input the kind, quantity, and location of food that is offered in this project. The agent is then sent a brief notice. The agent at that location may log in and get the donor's data after receiving the notice. The software allows the donor to create an account, and he may log in to add the location and food data anytime there is food waste. The agent is also capable of retrieving the data and holding an account. Once the information has been retrieved, the agent may go get food from the donor and provide it to the orphans or other needy people. Food redistribution is an incredibly effective social innovation initiative that addresses food poverty and waste. Because it has a distinct account for every user, the user's information is kept private

Sustainable development goals through reducing food loss and food waste: A comprehensive review

The major sustainability concern is food waste, which might be minimized by more effective redistribution of surplus food, supply chain waste management, and sustainable food management. Due to technological and infrastructure issues that require technology application at a wide scale with minimal environmental impact, food waste and food loss occur at all levels of the supply chain. Strategies for food redistribution, recovery, and reuse provide the economy with extra by-products and financial advantages. Because of the complicated relationships between distributors and suppliers, contractual obligations, inaccurate food demand forecasts, and food standards, changing consumption and production patterns at the industry and market levels is difficult. Based on this the objective of the review was to discuss the strategies for reducing food waste and achieving sustainable development goals and the role of different actors in reducing food wastage and in implementing SDGs. Several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to finishing world hunger (SDG 2), ensuring sustainable agriculture (SDG 2), promoting sustainable economic growth (SDG 8), and combating climate change (SDG 13), among others, have been found to depend on reducing the amount of food that is wasted and have destroyed.

Food Wastage Management and Tracking System

Abstract: In recent years, the issue of food wastage has garnered significant attention due to its adverse environmental, social, and economic implications. To address this challenge, technological innovations have emerged as powerful tools. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of a Food Wastage Management Android App, offering an integrated solution to reduce food waste. The app leverages cutting-edge technologies to efficiently manage surplus food, promoting responsible consumption and minimizing waste generation. Food wastage is a pervasive issue in our society, and effective management is crucial for improving environmental and economic sustainability. Recognizing the potential of mobile technology in mitigating food waste, we have developed an Android mobile application. This app enables individual users or restaurants to donate and share their surplus food with those in need. Users can register, login, view available items, add new items, access donor details, and logout seamlessly. Utilizing a real-time database, the app allows users in need to browse through donated food images from various contributors and easily contact donors. By facilitating the redistribution of surplus food, the app aims to combat food wastage and promote a more sustainable food ecosystem.

“I Don’t Come Here Just for the Food”: Manifestations of Care in Food Assistance Initiatives

This paper seeks to understand the social role played by food assistance initiatives in Portugal. Based on the understanding that these organizations are “spaces of care,” it is possible to reflect on the support provided by them in a more comprehensive and integrative way. Therefore, the various care practices that emerge in these organizational contexts are explored. This study presents a qualitative comparative methodological approach and a range of ethnographic methods to explore the perspectives of different actors (supervisors, volunteers, and beneficiaries) within different models of food assistance (Surplus Food Redistribution Charity, Soup Kitchen, and Social Supermarket). The main results indicate the presence of several “improvised” and “veiled” care practices in the analyzed initiatives that go beyond food issues. These manifestations of care may stem from altruistic acts and/or function as a “remedial measure,” serving as a compensatory mechanism in response to services deemed inadequate.

Good Samaritan laws and Surplus Food Redistribution - a Solution in Need of a Problem?

Good Samaritan laws and Surplus Food Redistribution - a Solution in Need of a Problem?

Intersectional coalitions towards a just agroecology: weaving mutual aid and agroecology in Barcelona and Seville

Although in theory social justice is considered as a core dimension of agroecological transitions, alternative food initiatives related to agroecology have been criticised for their exclusionary practices based on important social and economic biases. In this article, we adopt the lens of political intersectionality to study two cases of Agroecology-oriented Food Redistribution Coalitions in Spain that emerged to address the rising levels of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that the coalitions represent a convergence of diverse social struggles, placing intersectionally marginalized groups at the centre of their activism. However, we also uncover that coalition members participate in different ways depending on their socioeconomic profiles, which could perpetuate inequalities in organizational practices. One major point of tension is the need to balance the goal of providing access to healthy and sustainable food with the affordability of such produce. This leads to the adoption of hybrid food networks that include conventionally produced food. We also highlight that while the predominance of women in these coalitions reflects the unequal distribution of food-related care work in society, the collectivization of such work through AFRCs practices points to a transformation of gender relations. Territorialized alliances between actors from urban and rural settings and between urban centers and peripheries are established through the coalitions. However, such networks fall short on involving large numbers of agroecology-oriented initiatives and providing direct encounters between consumers and producers. Overall, the article underscores the importance of addressing intersecting inequalities within alternative food initiatives and argues that intersectional coalitions offer an intriguing example of how to promote such understanding and pave the way towards (more) just agroecological transitions.

Food sharing in a pandemic: Urban infrastructures, prefigurative practices and lessons for the future

The outbreak of COVID-19 raised critical questions about the functionalities of urban infrastructures, and in particular, practices of food provision, consumption and distribution. This paper focuses on the actions of non-commercial collaborative food sharing practices in Dublin city, incorporating surplus food redistribution initiatives, community kitchens, and community gardens, during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020. Whilst initially curtailed under conditions of strict lockdowns, many of these food sharing initiatives became characterised as essential services as the crisis unfolded, offering infrastructures of mobility, accessibility and care. Focusing on urban food infrastructures, qualitative content analysis of online media debates around food sharing in Dublin during this period was conducted to explore how non-commercial food sharing initiatives have been affected by, and responded to, the COVID-19 outbreak in Dublin. The paper analyses forms of improvisation, institionalisation and impact that emerged through food sharing actions and reflects on whether food sharing initiatives prefigure more sustainable urban food systems.

Impact pathways: unravelling the hybrid food supply chain – identifying the relationships and processes to drive change

PurposeThis paper explores the nature and operations of the supply chain that serves disadvantaged groups. With the increasing reliance on supplementary food provision through food aid, the authors seek to emphasise efficiency and sustainability in these supply chains.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interview data from 32 senior managers and experts from both commercial and food aid supply chains were abductively analysed to develop a relationship-based map of the food chains that serve disadvantaged groups.FindingsDisadvantaged groups are served by a hybrid food supply chain. It is an interconnected supply chain bringing together the commercial and the food aid supply chains. This chain is unsurprisingly plagued with various challenges, the most critical of which are limited expertise and resources, operational inefficiencies, prohibitive logistics costs and a severe lack of collaboration.Originality/valueThis study identifies the currently limited role of logistics companies in surplus food redistribution and highlights future pathways. Additionally, the authors present useful actionable propositions for managers, practitioners and policymakers.

Managing Digital Transformation for Social Good in Non-Profit Organizations: The Case of The Felix Project Zeroing Hunger in London

The societal value of non-profit organizations (NPOs) and the enabling aspect of digital transformations (DTs) pinpoint these as cornerstones in our running after sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, applying DT to NPOs foreshadows outstanding but untapped opportunities to enhance our capacity to meet those goals. This paper shed light on those opportunities by exploring the DT of a food redistribution charity which commits to reach zero hunger in London, the United Kingdom. Our results not only highlight the importance of studying DT in the setting of sustainable-oriented NPOs but also reveal the key role of leadership, entrepreneurship, agile management, co-creation, user-friendliness, and building a data-driven learning culture to strengthen its impact.

Food Bank Operation and Perceptions of Recipients on Food Surplus Redistribution in North and South Jakarta

Food waste is one of the highest sources of waste in Indonesia. This condition is contrary to food insecurity in Indonesia, which ranks third highest in Southeast Asia. Food waste generation reduction can be made by seeking management food surplus redistribution. Currently, the redistribution of food surplus began to be carried out to reduce food waste and food insecurity. This study aimed to determine the redistribution process of food surplus in North and South Jakarta from being collected to being sent to the recipient and the perceptions and acceptance attitudes of recipients of food surplus towards the redistribution of food they receive. The method used is using a Likert Scale and interviews. Based on the research results, there are 5 stages in surplus food management: collection and preparation, storage and inspection, delivery and receipt, documentation, and re-checking. Food surplus recipients have a good perception and acceptance of the redistribution of food surplus. However, some recipients still need to gain more knowledge about the expiration date and best-before, which affects the perception and management of food donations received. The recommended efforts include maintaining positive perceptions and attitudes of the recipient and people by developing education about food and waste management from food bank programs with support by the government institution which had same agenda and already cooperated with food bank.

The management and prevention of food losses and waste in low- and middle-income countries: A mini-review in the Africa region.

This mini-review analyses food losses and waste (FLW) management in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and identifies potential strategies to improve FLW management efficiency on the African continent. To achieve this aim, a search of grey and published scientific literature-case studies, feasibility studies, theses, peer-reviewed journals, governments and technical reports was performed. Food waste (FW) per capita in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) was determined to be between 6 and 11 kg capita-1 year-1. Factors militating against FLW management include a lack of infrastructure, waste reduction and mandatory waste management plans, financial support for food redistribution programmes, awareness and a lack of knowledge of FW management and effective approaches. Poor recovery systems, a lack of incentives in FW recycling programmes, a lack of a regulatory and policy framework and institutional weaknesses as well as a lack of sufficient and appropriate education programmes to improve FW source separation and collection rates are all significant challenges in the African region, with negative consequences for the environment and public health. Except for fuel conversion and food scraps for digestion to recover energy, there is a huge potential for composting and using FW as a digestate, which could eventually lead to a reduction in the amount of FW being landfilled or incinerated. The study explores potential interventions to reduce amount of FLW and form a basis for future research in this field and improving FW management efficiency in LMCs, especially on the continent of Africa. It also provides information that could assist researchers, policymakers and decision-makers reduce amount of FLW, aid in the utilization of FW for energy production, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the continent, as well as support the achievement of other sustainable development goals, such as 12.3, which is particularly important in the context of the African continent, which is dependent on food imports.

Analysis of an Indonesian food bank sustainability using system dynamics simulation

Foodbank is an organization that obtains food from donor organizations and individuals, proceeds the donated food products at storage facilities and distributes them to the end users, either directly or indirectly via charitable institutions. Foodbanks have been developed in several countries to tackle food waste and hunger problems. This research uses the case of FoodCycle Indonesia (FCI) as one of the food banks in Indonesia that has been in operation since 2017. The purpose of this study is to analyze the sustainability of FCI using system dynamics simulation to identify the factors that influence its sustainability. We develop the initial model based on literature and modify it according to interview results with representatives from FCI and its two partners (charitable organizations that redistribute the donated food to beneficiaries). The model consists of partners, wedding partners, food redistribution, transportation cost, community, volunteers, beneficiaries, and food balance subsystems. Based on the simulation results it can be concluded that FCI will be sustainable as long as the growth of the food supply is constant, and the organization has the financial ability to support the distribution of donated food to the beneficiaries.

마감할인서비스 모바일 애플리케이션의 농식품 폐기 감축 대안으로서의 가능성 진단

This study aims to analyze the impact of using ‘Last Order’, a mobile application that provides a discount service for near-expiry food, on food waste reduction, and to verify whether food redistribution through such a platform can be an effective alternative to proactively reducing domestic food waste. A survey was conducted among 216 ‘Last Order’ users and 376 non-users, of which 469 respondents(136 users and 333 non-users), excluding single-person households, were used for the analysis. The results of the analysis showed that the variable ‘whether or not to use the application which discounts service for near-expiry food’ had a significant negative value, indicating that the use of the application contributed to a reduction in the amount of food waste generated per household per day. It implies that increased use of the application will increase the potential for reducing food waste through the consumption of near-expiry food from retailers to households.

Exploring the water–food nexus reveals the interlinkages with urban human conflicts in Central America

Hydroclimatic extremes have been shown to enhance conflict in fragile societies. Quantitative research in this field has historically focused on rainfall anomalies, without accounting for their effects on the water–food system. Here we explore the water–food nexus and its interlinkages with urban conflicts in Central America. We use an agrohydrological model to assess the effects of drought on water availability and food production, accounting for regional food trade. A biophysical parameterization is then coupled with an econometric Bayesian zero-inflated Poisson model to detect dynamic spatial relations among social and hydrological variables. We find that drought-induced water deficit affects food security in major cities in the region and is correlated with the rise of conflict. Moreover, low population density and higher human development enhance the probability of permanent absence of conflict. Our analysis reveals the crucial role of food redistribution between rural and urban areas and its association with livelihoods and urban violence. Droughts pose a threat to water availability for food production, enhancing urban conflicts. This study explores the drought–conflict nexus by accounting for the effects of droughts on the food-security pillars of availability, economic access and stability.

Gift Giving, Reciprocity and Community Survival among Central Alaskan Indigenous Peoples

Inspired by a traditional ritual, the potlatch, Indigenous Dene communities in central-northern Alaska have developed new forms of reciprocity as a response to exogenous political threats to their autonomy. The potlatch involved the ritualized gifting of food and other items to selected guests as a means of creating political equilibrium by inculcating a sense of obligatory reciprocity. Today, people are reluctant to leave their communities and have begun shipping bush food from one community to the next instead of receiving gifts of food as invited guests. This new development is in response to a perceived threat to community survival. Since the 1990s, the Alaskan state government has been threatening to close schools with fewer than 20 students. This would affect most Native communities in the region, which generally have under 200 residents and correspondingly small schools. Closures would force people to move to larger villages with functioning schools or abandon their communities and move to a larger city (Fairbanks, in this case). While the government proposal to close smaller schools has yet to be implemented, it remains a constant threat (it was last revived in 2018). The new form of food redistribution allows people to stay and reaffirm their ties to their communities while reinforcing social ties to people of other communities.

A Circular Economy Approach to Food Security and Poverty: a Case Study in Food Rescue in Sri Lanka

Food rescue has been identified as a sustainable approach in preventing wastage of surplus food and achieving food security. Although food insecurity is widely prevalent in developing countries, there is a paucity of research investigating food donations and rescue operations in these countries. This study focuses on surplus food redistribution activities from a developing country perspective. Specifically, the study analyses the structure, motivations, and limitations of the existing food rescue system in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by conducting a series of structured interviews with twenty food donors and redistributors. The food rescue system in Sri Lanka characterises a sporadic redistribution, and food donors and rescuers are mainly driven by humanitarian motives. The findings also reveal missing institutions — facilitator organisations and back-line organisations — in the surplus food rescue system. Food redistributors identified that inadequate food logistics and establishing formal partnerships as major challenges in food rescue operations. Establishing intermediary organisations such as food banks to provide the required food logistics, imposing food safety parameters and minimum quality standards required for surplus food redistribution, and community awareness programmes on food redistribution can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of food rescue operations. There is an urgent need to embed food rescue as a strategy to reduce food wastage and to enhance food security in existing policies.