Food Waste Reduction Strategies

Fonds National de la Recherche, Luxembourg

The aim of this research is to understand how recently developed digital business models that aim to improve food waste reduction practices impact the operations of charitable and humanitarian organizations. The functionality, challenges, and opportunities of multi-sided digital platforms (MSDPs) have garnered increasing academic attention, particularly in the context of food supply chains. In this context, they aim to reduce food waste by facilitating information sharing and redistribution among all actors, the most well-known being Too Good To Go and Olio. Current literature identifies three market segments where these platforms are applied: for-profit (B2B, B2C), for community (P2P), and for charities (B2NGO). However, the charitable segment receives little attention in academic literature despite being the most reliant on food surplus to support those in need. There is also a limited understanding of how these organizations operate during times of supply constraints, due to advanced forecasting technologies and rising demand driven by increased poverty, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical challenges. Redistribution, availability, and waste reduction are equally critical challenges in humanitarian operations, directly affecting donation management and hindering logistical efficiency. Focusing on the underexamined field of slow-onset disasters, this research explores how multi-sided digital platforms can enhance visibility among actors and facilitate redistribution to affected areas – ultimately helping to balance over- and undersupplied regions by better matching supply with demand. As such, this research aims to fill gaps in the literature and advance scientific knowledge in these areas. Additionally, it offers practical insights for digital platform developers, enhances understanding of charitable supply chains, and supports humanitarian organizations in adopting sustainable practices. More broadly, it contributes to the academic discourse on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).