美姬阁

The project aims to promote food waste reduction as a complementary strategy to Qatar’s ongoing efforts for achieving food security and environmental sustainability and contributes to the implementation of the “Qatar’s National vision 2030”, thereby focusing on the long-term sustainability of the food supply chain and the interconnection between the four principles of economic, human, social, and environmental development.

The impact are as follows; create resilience within the food supply chain, enhance levels of organisational efficiency in distribution of food through reducing food waste, better understand organisational and social influences that can promote food security.

Progress update

Data from our study creates a deeper understanding of the food system and causes of food waste at both the supply and demand side in Qatar. More specifically at the distribution and consumer stages of the food supply chain.

Initially, we identified 28 causes of food waste which were further hierarchically clustered into 4 categories using heat maps—retail (food packaging, promotions and discounts), behaviour (low cost of food, portion sizes), operations (poor forecasting, commercial decision), regulations (expiry date, shelf life) & operations (stock control, poor  demand planning).

Overall, there is recognition that food is wasted, whilst some are making effort towards reducing waste, the system frustrates their efforts (strict regulations in Qatar—especially health & safety, labelling, expiry dates, import documentations, culture of serving huge portion sizes).

Our next stage is a simulation study of policy implication on food waste. The aim would be to inform policy decision on the need for adjustment of certain legislations.

Further information

SAFE-Q is a 3-year joint research project involving Georgetown University in Qatar, 美姬阁 and Brunel Universities in the UK and the Western Sydney University.

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