Ideaz

A major real world problem today is food waste. Large amounts of edible food are discarded daily by restaurants, supermarkets and households even though many people struggle with hunger and food insecurity. This also contributes to environmental problems like green house gas emissions and wasted resources.Food wastage is a serious global issue, affecting both developed and developing countries. It occurs at every stage of the food supply chain—from production, transportation, and storage to retail and household consumption. According to global studies, nearly one-third of all food produced is wasted, which not only leads to loss of valuable resources like water, energy, and labor but also contributes significantly to environmental problems such as greenhouse gas emissions. At the consumer level, lack of awareness, over-purchasing, improper storage, and cultural habits are some of the main reasons food is wasted. Reducing food waste is crucial for ensuring food security, saving resources, and promoting sustainability.

Gaps in Current Solutions

• Limited Accessibility of Solutions: Food donation systems are often unorganized and don’t reach the most vulnerable communities consistently.

• Lack of Consumer Awareness: Many people are unaware of how small changes in buying and storing habits can significantly reduce waste.

• Inefficient Supply Chains: In developing regions, poor infrastructure and inadequate cold storage facilities lead to huge post-harvest losses.

• Short-Term Focus: Current solutions often focus on immediate waste reduction rather than building long-term sustainable practices.

• Technology Gaps: Although smart apps for tracking expiry dates or redistributing food exist, they are not widely adopted due to lack of awareness or accessibility.

Who Benefits

• Users/Consumers: Access to affordable or free meals.
• Businesses: Lower waste disposal costs and improved social image.
• Communities: Reduced hunger and positive environmental impact.

• Farmers: Improved storage and supply chain solutions ensure their hard work does not go to waste.

• The Environment: Reducing food waste lowers greenhouse gas emissions, conserves water, and reduces land use pressure.

Why It Matters to Me

This issue matters to me because I’ve seen good food being wasted at events and shops, and I believe technology can help create a bridge between excess and need.Food wastage matters to me because I believe food is one of the most valuable resources we have, yet it is often taken for granted. Seeing so much food thrown away while many people struggle with hunger feels deeply unfair and avoidable. As a student, I also see how small habits—like buying only what we need or storing food properly—can create a big difference. 

Optional Technical Idea

My idea is to design a digital platform that connects local stores with nearby communities and charities so surplus food can be redistributed quickly.

Optical sensors can detect changes in color, texture, and gases released by food (like ethylene for fruits).

Each step of food movement (farm → storage → transport → retail) can be tracked