Food Donation App
An app that allows individuals or businesses in the food industry to donate leftover food directly to charities/NGOs.
The solution is an app, which both charities and restaurants/hotels/groups have. When a business has surplus, unserved food, they can go to the app, and will find a list of charities and organizations with branches/volunteers near them. They can them choose which organization they would like to donate to.
The volunteers of the chosen- the ones nearby- will get notifications through the app (they would need their own accounts on the app). They can pick up the food and distribute it to those nearby who need it, using their pre-developed extensive networks and connections.
This will help build the gap between organizations and groups that work to combat hunger, and businesses that have more of it that they know what to do with. They will be a quick mode of communication between the two parties, and they will both benefit from it- charities will have greater resources, and hotels/restaurants will stop contributing to food wastage, and can build their reputation as a more sustainable business.
The general problems I wish to solve are food wastage and hunger. Specifically, the wastage of surplus food that businesses in the food industry often find themselves having to deal with. Most of these hotels/restaurants, especially in India, tend to throw this food away, or leave it out for stray animals to eat. It takes more effort to search out an organization that accepts food donations, or routinely find people who need the food and give it to them directly. And most are unwilling to go the extra mile and establish a long-term system of food donating, on the occasion of leftovers.
The other issue this app tackles is hunger. More than enough food is produced globally to feed everyone around the world, but around 811 million people still go hungry everyday. This highlights a lack of proper distribution of the food produced. This is, of course, because some people cannot earn enough to feed themselves and their family. But one-third of the food produced annually- approximately 1.3 billion tonnes- gets lost or wasted. There must be a way for the food to reach those who desperately need it.
The app will bridge the gap between those who have surplus food, and those who lack food.
Many organizations and charities around the world are striving to provide 3 square meals a day to the poor, but have limited reach, or lack of resources. If everyone gets involved in the initiative, even businesses who have food to spare, more people can benefit. My community alone employs at least a hundred such housemaids, cooks, drivers, etc., who work all day, everyday, and still don't earn enough for two full meals. And even they are among the more fortunate people of the lower class. The food donated through the app will be picked up through food banks and food rescue organizations, who already have extensive networks of people they can help.
Food will reach the lower class population- maids, housekeepers, cleaning staff, farmers, the unemployed- everyone these organizations can reach.
Millions of people all over the world stand to benefit. Businesses could prevent their dishes, vegetables, and fruits from being thrown away, and more people could go to bed on a fuller stomach.
So far, I have researched about and looked into an organization working on food-donation social service, and tried to get an understanding of their model of distribution, and their food sources. The Robin Hood Army takes no funds, and functions purely on the goodwill of volunteers. It has a project very similar to the app's idea, but on a smaller scale in their communities-they work to get surplus food from restaurants and the community to serve less fortunate people. They serve homeless families, orphanages, patients from public hospitals, and old age homes.
I have also talked to the management staff of my apartment- a few maids, and an ironer. Sometimes, after meals, my family and I'd have some prepared, untouched food left over in the pot, and we would give this to the maids who often maintained the elevators and passageways near our flat. They would say that the food could feed their family for one meal.
- Other: Addressing an unmet social, environmental, or economic need not covered in the four dimensions above
My solution focuses on reducing food wastage by businesses in the food production industry. It gives them a medium to communicate with NGOs, food banks, food rescue organizations, etc., who can put the leftover food, fruits, and vegetables to good use.
This app is a significant step in eradicating large-scale food wastage and hunger in communities. This can coordinate food donors and donees, and help develop a steady supply of food to the hungry.
This can also encourage groups to start donating food, or donate more of it more often. The process can now happen with no extra effort from their side, as the pickup and dropoff will be done by the organization.
- Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea
To date, I have reached out to a person who has experience and a job in the social service field. She is an Education, Child Rights & Gender Specialist, and works for an NGO. She advised me on how best to use the Exploratory Microgrant that I had been given, and how to go connect with NGOs and restaurants/hotels, and get them to back up the app.
She knew a person from the NGO World Food Program, and I will be interviewing her as well. I have also created a google survey meant for restaurants and restaurants and hotels, to get an insight into how they manage their leftovers.
Like I had mentioned before, I have looked into the Robin Hood Army's functions and model, and tried understanding the problems of my target population on a deeper level.