In our previous post, we have explored how we can rescue ugly food products from ending up in our trash bins. While this helps to solve the food waste we generate from uncooked food products, what about the cooked products that often have a short lifespan within which they must be consumed to ensure the safety standards. Well, this is where we uncover how technology and community efforts can join arms to solve this issue (Ishangulyyev, Kim and Lee, 2019).
We have recognized how restaurants, especially buffet chains, contribute a significant amount of food waste as they end up throwing some of the food cooked during the course of the day. That did not sit right with Rayner Loi and Keshav Sivakumar, Singaporean entrepreneurs who began their start-up Good for Food. This start-up utilises technology and artificial intelligence by fitting a camera over the dustbins in restaurants and food halls that would identify what is being thrown out daily. This way. These establishments are able to obtain data about what food is being wasted and are more aware of what and how much of the food they prepare in the future to be better able to serve to the demand of their customers while also limiting their food waste. Learn more about them below (CNA Insider, 2019)!
Hence, we can observe how technology and data analytics can be useful in helping these businesses better understand their food waste patterns and work towards reducing their ‘foodprints’ while also saving cost. Well, technology has also helped to improve communication among people which has brought the community together and helped to solve numerous issues. Food waste is no different as with increased communication based on technology, we have also witnessed numerous community efforts to reduce cooked food waste by matching the demand with the supply. Sharing platforms such as Olio have connected consumers together (Lock, 2019). On these platforms, one could put items, including food products, that they do not want for others to collect. Watch how one vlogger does this in London (Stephpuppychan, 2018)!
Another of such efforts is much closer to home. NUS Buffet Response channel on Telegram also aims to reduce food waste in the campus by trying to alert people of the leftovers from buffets around the campus, especially in UTown which hosts numerous meetings and seminars regularly. Therefore, it is evident that these community efforts attempt to reduce the food waste generated by cooked food by trying to bring the supply of these products closer to those who have more demand for them. This way, we are also able to ensure that no or little food goes to waste.
In conclusion, we, as consumers, do have much within our power to make a change in our choices and help to reduce the food wastage we generate. Whether that may mean consuming ‘ugly’ food produce or cooking less or giving food to those who need it more than just tossing it in the bin, these small changes can be impactful as a collective in addressing the pertinent issue of food wastage in Singapore.
Trailing off,
Jade and Ridzuan
References
CNA Insider (2019). Young Singaporeans’ Smart Answer To The World’s Food Waste Problem. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd2GOpsLFaU&ab_channel=CNAInsider [Accessed 8 Nov. 2020].
Ishangulyyev, R., Kim, S. and Lee, S.H. (2019). Understanding Food Loss and Waste—Why Are We Losing and Wasting Food? Foods, 8(8), p.297.
Lock, C. (2019). Don’t throw it away, share it: Sharing platforms gaining popularity in Singapore. The Straits Times. [online] Aug 18. Available at: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/dont-throw-it-away-share-it [Accessed 8 Nov. 2020].
Stephpuppychan (2018). OLIO app – MY EXPERIENCE ON HOW TO GET FREE FOOD. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8onS67cQtQc&ab_channel=stephpuppychan [Accessed 8 Nov. 2020].
