Two new initiatives seek to reduce food waste within the supply chain

With current estimates of wasted food reaching roughly 18% of landfill space, the USDA is reaching out to the University of Arizona's W.P. Carey School of Business to examine two potential plans for reducing that number, ASU reported last week. The first is to explore alternative means of selling imperfect fruit and other items through an independent system or platform to alert potential buyers of the surplus. Consumers may then visit the app or website, make selections, then allow the app to design delivery logistics and payment. Students from California Polytechnic will also participate. The second method is an experiment with Scan Based Trading (SBT), in which suppliers maintain ownership of food items until purchase. Retailers like Target maintain the displays until the food is sold. Suppliers can replenish directly at stores, rather than have to dispense their products through a distribution center.