Secondary Markets for Food Waste

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM , 14 May 2021

Print date: 14 April 2024 10:29

Description of the innovative solution

Circular economy Collaboration Community building Digital platform Sharing economy Waste Postharvest technology Perishable food Retail promotion Market access Supply-chain management Infrastructure Tuft's Innovation Lab

Food waste includes food products, such as surplus products, that are in perfect condition and could be consumed as such without the need for processing. This innovation proposes to create dedicated markets to sell discounted food or groceries sourced directly from food producers, manufacturers and distributors. Numerous initiatives are emerging around the world to create a direct market for food waste, without any process or transformation, such as b2b marketplaces for imperfect and surplus produce. These aim at facilitating the trade of surplus products, focusing on fresh produce. Other initiatives provide a marketplace that connects businesses who have surplus food with individuals who want to rescue this food.

Supply chain segment

Wholesale, markets and retail

Maturity level

Moving to scale

Criteria

Food availability Food affordability Climate mitigation Water use

SDG target

SDG 2: Zero Hunger SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 13: Climate Action

Context

Urban Peri-urban

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

See this solution in action in different contexts and settings around the world

Imperfect Foods grocery delivery service
Business information

Grocery delivery service that sources products from surplus and cosmetically "imperfect" produce that would normally be discarded along the typical food supply chain.

United States
Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM
Recovering excess produce from warehouses
Project information

Borderlands Produce Rescue recovers excess or rejected produce from warehouses to sell to community organizations and local or international families at affordable prices.

Mexico United States
Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

Additional resources

Learn more about this solution through studies, articles, business cases, and other information

Retail price discrimination and food waste
Scientific paper
Study investigating how quality-based price-discrimination can result in a substantial level of retail food waste.
Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM
Study on the impact of Commercial Peer-to-Peer Mutualization Systems (CPMSs)
Scientific paper
Project report conducting supply chain and economic analysis to determine the viability of CPMSs.
Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

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