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15 pages, 4833 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Procedure for an Effective Quick and Targeted Distribution of Product to Final Beneficiaries by a Social Food Bank

by Marc Juanpera, Judit M. Fernández-Novell, Albert Soler-Noguera, Maria Antonia De los Santos, Daniel Carpintero, Laia Ferrer-Martí and Rafael Pastor

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13165; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013165 - 13 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2428

Abstract

Humanitarian food banks throughout Europe periodically deliver baskets of food products to vulnerable families. These entities occasionally receive large, unexpected quantities of perishable products, sometimes very specific (e.g., gluten-free, vegan), to be distributed urgently. The highly random nature of these arrivals has hindered [...] Read more.

Humanitarian food banks throughout Europe periodically deliver baskets of food products to vulnerable families. These entities occasionally receive large, unexpected quantities of perishable products, sometimes very specific (e.g., gluten-free, vegan), to be distributed urgently. The highly random nature of these arrivals has hindered their study in literature. The purpose of this work is to define a procedure for an effective, quick and targeted distribution to beneficiaries, of large quantities of sometimes very specific perishable products. The research methodology starts with an in-depth on-site analysis of a real food bank, interviews with managers and beneficiaries, and definition of the procedure requirements. Next, the procedure is designed, defining how to select the appropriate beneficiaries for the targeted distribution, using free and common-use tools to announce the product distribution and allow the collection request by interested beneficiaries. It is technically easy to use, taking into account that food banks’ workforce is composed mainly of volunteers, with a high turnover. Training material is prepared for volunteers and beneficiaries to overcome the digital gap. The procedure is validated with the network of small food banks El Rebost, from Terrassa (Spain): 129 lots of food products have been successfully delivered to targeted beneficiaries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Waste Management and Sustainability in the Food System)

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19 pages, 1248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Waste in Saudi Arabia: Causes, Consequences, and Combating Measures

by Mirza Barjees Baig, Bader Alhafi Alotaibi, Khodran Alzahrani, David Pearson, Ghedeir M. Alshammari and Ashfaq Ahmad Shah

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10362; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610362 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 14287

Abstract

The enormous amounts of food going as waste to landfills is of great concern in Saudi Arabia. The issue of food waste is complex, with its numerous social, cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability dimensions warranting further investigations. Food waste is one of the [...] Read more.

The enormous amounts of food going as waste to landfills is of great concern in Saudi Arabia. The issue of food waste is complex, with its numerous social, cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability dimensions warranting further investigations. Food waste is one of the prime issues threatening food security in Saudi Arabia. This article aims to gauge the real issue, to create awareness among those who waste large amounts of food, and to encourage planners and policy makers to implement corrective measures. This article aims to stimulate interest within the scientific community, seek support from different branches of Saudi Arabian government, and engage all major segments of society. A thorough search of the international scientific publications and the grey literature published in English and Arabic was made. It was discovered that the available literature is scarce, and tends to focus on finding knowledge about the problem rather than on generating solutions. Thus, further research should attempt to find ways to form strategies and to test new ideas and interventions that could reduce food waste, particularly in the hospitality sector and within households. Based on the analysis presented in this paper, the recommended course of action for Saudi Arabia is to launch an integrated “Stop Wasting Food” campaign that would include all stakeholders. Raising awareness about the detrimental consequences of food waste and encouraging behavioral changes to reduce this squandering of precious resources is the first step in addressing the issue. There is an urgent need to promote behavioral changes in Saudi Arabian society, particularly among prime food wasters: women and youth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Waste Management and Sustainability in the Food System)

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14 pages, 811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compositional Analysis of Street Market Food Waste in Brazil

by Pedro Brancoli, Fausto Makishi, Paula Garcia Lima and Kamran Rousta

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7014; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127014 - 8 Jun 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3969

Abstract

Current understanding of food waste quantities in the Brazilian retail sector is limited. In order to develop efficient measures for food waste prevention and valorisation, reliable data on waste generation and composition are necessary. In this study, a compositional analysis of street market [...] Read more.

Current understanding of food waste quantities in the Brazilian retail sector is limited. In order to develop efficient measures for food waste prevention and valorisation, reliable data on waste generation and composition are necessary. In this study, a compositional analysis of street market waste was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. In total, 4.1 tonnes of waste were sorted into 27 waste fractions, categorised using a three-level approach. The average waste generation in the studied street markets was 23.7 kg per stall, of which 12.8 kg was classified as unavoidable food waste, 3.6 kg as packaging waste, and 7.4 kg as avoidable waste. The results show large amounts of unavoidable food waste, comprised of coconut, sugarcane bagasse, and peels. A large share of the avoidable food waste is comprised of single leaves, tomatoes, oranges, and bananas. Large variations were observed among the street markets analysed, both in terms of the food waste generation rate, and composition. The results from scaling up the data at the city level indicated a total wastage of 59,300 tonnes per year, of which 18,400 tonnes are classified as avoidable food waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Waste Management and Sustainability in the Food System)

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17 pages, 553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preventing Household Food Waste in Italy: A Segmentation of the Population and Suggestions for Action

by Azzurra Annunziata, Francisco Luis Muca and Angela Mariani

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7005; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127005 - 8 Jun 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3055

Abstract

Household food waste represents one of the main challenges threatening the sustainability of modern food systems globally. As is widely recognised, a deeper understanding of wasteful behaviour profiles is the starting point of designing intervention strategies. The overall objective of this research is [...] Read more.

Household food waste represents one of the main challenges threatening the sustainability of modern food systems globally. As is widely recognised, a deeper understanding of wasteful behaviour profiles is the starting point of designing intervention strategies. The overall objective of this research is to explore the role of psychological factors that influence household wasteful food behaviour in Italy and to profile consumers with heterogeneous personal attitudes towards wasting food. Starting with data collected through a web-based survey realized on a sample of 530 individuals responsible for household shopping, a principal component analysis and a two-step cluster analysis revealed three different segments of consumers with heterogeneous wasteful behaviours. The clusters differ in relation to psychological factors, such as moral attitudes and concerns about and intentions to reduce food waste. The study findings provide insights for implementing prevention, reduction, and recovery strategies tailored to these different consumer profiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Waste Management and Sustainability in the Food System)

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12 pages, 282 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Achieving Zero Hunger Goal through Minimizing Waste in Food Supply Chain: Evidence from Asian Emerging Region

by Caiyun Liu, Hui Jiang, Daniel Badulescu and Dorin Paul Bac

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5930; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105930 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5992

Abstract

Agricultural products have taken center stage due to the COVID-19 pandemic as countries strive to become self-sufficient and independent. Despite this, Agri-products supply chain management has largely been ignored. Farmers are typically in charge of getting these products to market. The local market [...] Read more.

Agricultural products have taken center stage due to the COVID-19 pandemic as countries strive to become self-sufficient and independent. Despite this, Agri-products supply chain management has largely been ignored. Farmers are typically in charge of getting these products to market. The local market suffers because of the significant quantity of agricultural products wasted along the Agri-Food supply chain (AFSC), and export revenue is at risk. To address the issue of food waste in AFSC, this study identified the sources of food waste and proposed corrective measures for the local farming industry. Stakeholders from the farming community, transportation companies, and retailers were conducting semi-structured interviews and coding them using open-source coding. Lack of cold storage and improper handling and packaging of products have been found to have a negative impact on the distribution process in developing countries. In this regard, a well-designed supply chain strategy, network design, and information system can alleviate these issues. Farmers and transporters must be taught how to minimize damage during transport. Recycled packaging material can also be used, saving money while reducing the likelihood of product damage. This is among the pioneer studies that focus on the causes of food waste in AFSC in Pakistan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Waste Management and Sustainability in the Food System)

13 pages, 596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Wastage Attitudes among the United Arab Emirates Population: The Role of Social Media

by Tareq M. Osaili, Reyad S. Obaid, Russul Alqutub, Rawya Akkila, Ala Habil, Ahlam Dawoud, Serin Duhair, Fayeza Hasan, Mona Hashim, Leila Cheikh Ismail, Anas A. Al-Nabulsi and Sadi Taha

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1870; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031870 - 7 Feb 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 8135

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate food wastage attitudes and the impact of social media among the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population. A questionnaire was distributed via social network applications (n = 525). The majority of the respondents were females [...] Read more.

The objective of this study is to evaluate food wastage attitudes and the impact of social media among the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population. A questionnaire was distributed via social network applications (n = 525). The majority of the respondents were females (84%) and social media users (99%). Most of the respondents were well aware of the problem of food wastage (96%). Half of the respondents (53.7 and 48.8%) reported taking some form of action on an ‘often’ basis to reduce food wastage, and buying food as per their needs, respectively. Two-thirds (66.7%) of the respondents stated that their family did not throw away anything from their last meal. A majority (82.3%) felt uncomfortable upon discarding food. A mixed response was observed in terms of food wastage and social media usage. On one hand, using social media was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with measuring the exact quantity of ingredients prior to preparation, lower overall family wastage, eating leftovers, and composting. On the other hand, less-frequent social media users significantly (p < 0.05) had fewer leftovers, checked expiry dates, were more serious about food wastage, and planned to minimize it. Social media should be used with prudence as it may not have a very significant impact on food wastage reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Waste Management and Sustainability in the Food System)

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Review

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17 pages, 5818 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Global Scientific Literature on Food Waste and Loss

by Selma Mokrane, Elvira Buonocore, Roberto Capone and Pier Paolo Franzese

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 4757; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064757 - 7 Mar 2023

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 8036

Abstract

The growing global population and modern dietary patterns are the main drivers of current unsustainable food systems, with one of the most serious consequences being the growing issue of food waste and loss (FWL). FWL is a global problem since one-third of the [...] Read more.

The growing global population and modern dietary patterns are the main drivers of current unsustainable food systems, with one of the most serious consequences being the growing issue of food waste and loss (FWL). FWL is a global problem since one-third of the global food produced for human consumption is wasted or lost yearly. FWL occurs throughout the food supply chain. In this study, the scientific literature on FWL was explored. Social network analysis and bibliometrics were integrated to explore the issue of food waste in relation to environmental impact and food security. The generated network maps displayed the relationships among keywords, authors, and countries dealing with the issue of food waste, highlighting the exponential growth of the studies focusing on food waste since 2010. The results allowed for the understanding of the evolution of food waste scientific research, identifying the most important topics and research paths. In addition, the results also showed a clear research shift from an older approach to food waste, based on the downstream notion of waste, to a more modern approach, based on sustainability, food security, consumer behavior, and the circular economy, addressing the problem of food waste by preventing it with upstream actions and policies. Considering the remarkable ethical, environmental, social, and economic implications of FWL, the outcomes of this study display the need for developing interdisciplinary approaches and methodologies capable of providing a comprehensive understanding of the FWL issue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Waste Management and Sustainability in the Food System)

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19 pages, 1930 KiB

Open AccessReview

Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) Approach for Determining the Effects of the Waste Charging Scheme on Household Food Waste Recycling

by Mark Hansley Chua and Yung Yau

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 16120; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316120 - 2 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3961

Abstract

This review demonstrates the analytical application of Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework in identifying and evaluating possible outcomes of how the upcoming waste charging scheme could promote collective actions for post-consumption household food waste recycling in Hong Kong. This novel approach [...] Read more.

This review demonstrates the analytical application of Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework in identifying and evaluating possible outcomes of how the upcoming waste charging scheme could promote collective actions for post-consumption household food waste recycling in Hong Kong. This novel approach enables analysts to examine thoroughly complex collective action situations such as the case in this paper. A comprehensive review was performed on the published government documents and statistics, together with the past scholarly literature pertinent to the case. Previous studies and reports have shown due diligence on the part of the authorities in preparing infrastructure, educational campaigns, and recycling centres for the full implementation of the forthcoming waste charge scheme. Nevertheless, the findings also show the presence of an information gap in the practical aspect of the food waste collection and monitoring system. Some future research areas identified from this review are: how food waste can be collected from households; how illegal waste disposal be monitored; how the recent pandemic shapes households’ valorisation of food waste recycling; and how technological interventions can help optimise the collection efficacy of food waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Waste Management and Sustainability in the Food System)

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