Research: Reducing Food Waste with Smart Apps

 

Research: Reducing Food Waste with Smart App

 June 21, 2025

As part of our Advanced Studio 1 project, our team explored how mobile technology can play a powerful role in reducing food waste and redistributing surplus food to those in need. With increasing concerns about sustainability and food insecurity, we saw an opportunity to use smart app features to build a solution that connects food donors (restaurants, supermarkets, households) with recipients (charities, shelters, and individuals).

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Key Insights from Our Discussion:

1. Real-Time Donation System
A key app feature we discussed is real-time food listing, where businesses can quickly upload surplus food items with expiry times. Users near the location receive instant notifications for pickup—reducing the risk of waste.

2. Smart Matching Algorithm
The app should match food donations with the closest verified recipient using filters like food type, quantity, dietary preferences, and pickup time. This improves efficiency and ensures food goes to the right people.

3. Safety and Compliance
Following guidelines from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), all donated food must be handled and stored safely. The app will include reminders for labeling, temperature checks, and expiry monitoring to ensure compliance.

4. Community Impact Dashboard
We plan to integrate a visual dashboard to show metrics like:

• Meals saved 

• Carbon emissions reduced 

• Total donations 

This motivates users to keep contributing and builds trust in the system.

5. Gamification and Rewards
A point-based system for donors and volunteers could encourage consistent use. High contributors can earn badges, coupons, or even certifications for social impact.