Food waste is an increasingly prevalent issue among supermarkets and restaurants alike, but a new software being developed in Iowa State University titled 'eFeed-Hungers.com' is aiming to change that.
According to the developers, this technology will enable restaurants and grocery stores to communicate when they have excess food, that would otherwise to go waste. Upon doing so, individuals in need and homeless shelters who have signed up for the service will be notified of the location of the restaurant. The computer systems analyst behind the platform, Sugam Sharma, told Science Daily that "We wanted to make it as simple as possible, so people will not hesitate to donate. There is no scarcity of food. We see this as a way to take some of the food we’re wasting and save it by providing a channel to get the extra food to the needy."
Charitable Food Waste Platforms
'efeed-hungers.com' Connects Helps Restaurants and Stores Donate
Trend Themes
1. Charitable Food Waste Reduction - The trend towards using technology to connect food donors with organizations and individuals in need is creating opportunities for disruptive innovation.
2. Excess Food Notification - This trend of notification systems for excess food is making it easier for businesses to donate and reduce food waste.
3. Automated Food Donation Tracking - The trend towards automated food donation tracking and management is creating new opportunities for impact measurement and efficiency.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant Industry - Restaurants can leverage these platforms to reduce food waste and increase community engagement which can result in overall cost savings and positive social impact.
2. Grocery Industry - Grocery stores and supermarkets can leverage these platforms to reduce waste, boost customer loyalty, and improve brand reputation by contributing to the community.
3. Technology Industry - The development of specialized software and platforms can improve the efficiency of food recovery and donation systems, facilitating partnerships between businesses and non-profit organizations to reduce food waste and tackle food insecurity.