In today’s world, there is nothing more valuable than food. It is what gives us life, sustains our bodies, and provides livelihoods for millions of people around the world. And yet, we are responsible for a significant portion of food waste. This is because we do not control where our food comes from, or who controls it at any point. We also don't know how much food goes to waste each year, and this is why food redistribution companies help reduce food waste. However, the process for distributing food can be complicated and labour intensive. The best way to prevent food waste is by making sure that all food goes to those in need. That's what business co-founders and CEOs like Tessa Clarke have done. They're here to change this.
Olio was founded in 2020 by former food industry workers with experience working for several major brands. On top of their food distribution skills, they've been able to create an advanced technology platform which allows them to efficiently transfer food to families facing hunger. As part of their revolutionary approach to food redistribution, the company uses AI to determine the amount of food that should go to those most in need. Their goal is to ensure that every package of food goes through proper segregation, processing, labelling, packaging, and transportation. Alongside their team of professionals in the field, they also work alongside community organisations to provide free, healthy meals to vulnerable communities across the UK.
Olio currently offers its services directly to individuals, charities, schools, hospitals, and the government. When you send food to your family member, it is up to the recipient to decide if it's good enough to eat. "We set out to deliver a solution that improves health outcomes and reduces food waste," says Clarke, explaining that their product eliminates this issue. She adds, "The system works by helping to automate aspects of the supply chain so that the foods we receive meet minimum quality criteria." By doing this, she claims that they can lower food prices while ensuring that they go to those who need it. At the same time, the system avoids cross contamination issues and ensures that no one gets sick after eating food for themselves and everyone else. For example, when someone wants to donate food to charity, they will only accept food that has passed various rigorous processes.
In addition to reducing food waste and improving human health, Clarke says that their app can also be used as a tool for social marketing. By using artificial intelligence, they can understand consumer behaviour on different platforms and provide targeted ads to reach consumers. Additionally, these ad campaigns can be coupled with other promotional activities such as discounts or coupons for their products.
It's important to note that while some individuals may have food in the fridge that they think isn't edible, it is still possible to safely consume it without worrying about what you are putting into your mouth. "Our primary focus is on minimising food waste and providing healthy, nutritious food to those who need it most," explains Clarke. Another benefit of this system, according to her, is that it also helps eliminate the stigma against food donation. Once an individual decides to become involved in the program, they'll receive information about the steps needed to make their purchases and food donation easier. "Our systems provide tools to support this, including a simple QR code that can link to our website," Clarke explains. Using this, individuals can easily donate food to others in need without having to put any effort into the actual donation itself.
As part of their efforts to assist those in need, Harris & Company LLP recently entered into a partnership with Olin Corporation. Through their alliance with the British energy giant, they intend to distribute food surplus to households in need. So far, the company has donated over £150m worth of fresh produce to individuals and communities across the UK. Although many of the items are free, they include vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, beans, carrots, and peppers which have been deemed unsafe for consumption by the FDA. According to the CDC, a person can only eat certain types of fruits or vegetables once their body has developed an immune response. These are typically vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and green onions that contain high levels of cyanide. Furthermore, although Oliver's current initiative is focused on fruit and vegetable donations, they plan to expand to meat donations and dairy donations in the future. They are now asking donors not only to bring in food but also bring in fresh produce, including eggs, milk, and yogurt. Both of these initiatives will help alleviate hunger and make it easier for families throughout London's inner boroughs to access fresh, affordable food.
With new guidelines being implemented in 2022, it is predominately likely that non-food items will end up in landfills and/or incinerators. While food redistribution companies are crucial for this problem, they may not necessarily be able to fix the situation without help from local authorities. Nonetheless, Clarke says that the company works closely with councils to ensure that food is distributed correctly to those in need. "Our methods allow us to ensure that the proper steps are taken, along with our partnerships with charities and governments," she explains.
So, what does success look like? According to Clarke, it takes less than 10 minutes for the system to complete its task, and between 30 and 60 days before the food reaches its intended recipients. Many of the tasks are automated and run continuously 24 hours per day. After which, the money can be spent on supplies and payments such as rent, utilities, water bills, etc. Alternatively, if the food does not make it to those in need, the company will provide vouchers to cover the expenses associated with the delivery. "Our goal is to help improve nutrition, health outcomes, and environmental stewardship Moonshadows-style, and that is truly remarkable given the difficulties faced," Clarke concludes.
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