Food justice intervention database

Food waste and recycling

The interventions under this theme were limited, with only four studies included and all based in USA. These interventions encompassed actions aimed at reducing food wastage and ensuring that unconsumed food is redirected toward those in need or repurposed. The interventions analysed include food recovery programmes, meal delivery from reclaimed foods, and mechanisms such as "share tables" in schools, they targeted vulnerable families, such as those living in motel-shelters, homebound seniors who may experience challenges in accessing nutritious meals and vulnerable and marginalised populations.

Settings

Food waste and recycling interventions manifest in diverse settings, tailored to specific community needs. Collaborative initiatives between charitable organisations and businesses are most effective in urban settings with dense commercial zones but can also extend to rural areas with community markets. Engaging community stakeholders is crucial in both urban and rural locales, with urban areas leveraging community centres and town halls, while rural areas might focus on community gatherings or local schools. The integration of technology for food recovery is most feasible in urban and semi-urban areas due to technological infrastructure, yet with growing mobile connectivity, rural areas can benefit too. Training and awareness campaigns, highlighting food waste reduction and recycling, are universally applicable, with their mode of delivery adapted to the urban or rural context.

Facilitators and barriers to successful interventions

The effectiveness of interventions to recycle and redistribute food is influenced by various facilitators and barriers, which can either support or hinder implementation and impact.

Facilitators

  • Collaborative initiatives between charitable food organisations and local businesses to redirect unsold yet edible food.
  • Engagement with community stakeholders to ensure the relevance and efficacy of food recovery programmes.
  • Integration of technology and data-driven methods to streamline the food recovery and distribution process.
  • Training and awareness campaigns highlighting the importance and methods of food waste reduction and recycling.

Barriers

  • Logistics and costs associated with collecting, storing, and redistributing reclaimed food.
  • Potential stigma associated with consuming reclaimed food.
  • Regulatory and safety concerns surrounding the redistribution of unconsumed food items.
  • A potential lack of awareness or understanding among community members about the benefits and processes of food recovery.

Systematic review

  • Food recovery and delivery programmes, such as those aimed at motel-shelter families and homebound seniors, have been shown to improve food security, nutrition, and wellbeing among participants.
  • "Share table" initiatives in schools are gaining traction as a potential mechanism to both reduce food waste and address food insecurity among students.
  • A holistic approach that merges food recovery, community engagement, and technological interventions can provide more comprehensive and lasting solutions to food wastage and insecurity.
  • The effectiveness of such interventions varies based on the specific target populations and settings. Integrating feedback and adapting based on ongoing results is crucial.
  • Challenges remain, particularly around scalability and ensuring consistent food quality and safety.

The interventions related to food waste reduction and recycling have a dual impact - they reduce wastage, promote environmental sustainability, and simultaneously address food insecurity in various communities. However, their success is contingent on navigating logistical, social, and regulatory challenges.

Download the food justice intervention - food waste and recycling database

Page last updated: 18 September 2023

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