LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT FOOD WASTE AND HUNGER: A CASE STUDY OF THE FEED ME TOO PROJECT

Abstract

The Feed Me Too Android application offers an innovative solution to address global food waste, hunger, and malnutrition challenges. In a world where approximately 821 million individuals suffer from hunger and one in three faces malnutrition, the need to combat food scarcity is urgent (FAO, 2022). Shockingly, a UN report from 2021 reveals that 30% of the global population grapples with extreme food shortages (FAO, 2022). Equally staggering is the fact that one-third of all food produced, equivalent to 1.3 billion tons, is wasted annually, costing the global economy approximately $940 billion (WFP, 2020). Feed Me Too represents a paradigm shift, functioning as a comprehensive waste food management and donation system. It empowers donors, including individuals, restaurants, and hotels, to efficiently notify potential receivers about surplus food. Simultaneously, it enables receivers, often NGOs and agents, to request or collect excess food, bridging the gap between waste and scarcity. This application embodies transformative ethos, reducing food waste and redistributing nourishment to the needy. It is more than technology; it is a testament to human compassion and environmental responsibility. This research explores Feed Me Too's mechanics, impact, and potential as a symbol of change in the fight against food waste and global hunger. It represents a future where sustainability prevails, food waste dwindles, and no one goes to bed hungry.