AI Tool Helps Redirect 700 Tons of Food Waste to Feed the Hungry
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📰 The quick summary: A new AI tool being tested by Nestlé and other UK food companies has reduced edible food waste by 87% in just two weeks, redirecting surplus food to charities instead of landfills.
📈 One key stat: The AI tool generated an 87% reduction in edible food waste at one Nestlé factory in just two weeks, showing the enormous potential for addressing food waste at scale.
💬 One key quote: Esra Kasapoglu, director of AI and data economy at Innovate UK, said the project represented a “solution that aims to transform food sourcing and distribution across the UK, cutting waste, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering costs”.
1️⃣ The big picture: Millions of meals worth of food that would otherwise go to waste may soon find their way to people in need thanks to a groundbreaking AI system being tested across the UK food industry. The tool monitors, tracks, and provides insights about surplus food in real-time, helping companies identify edible products that can’t be sold commercially but remain safe to eat. Major food manufacturer Nestlé is among the companies participating in the trial, which has already shown remarkable success at one of their factories. This technology addresses a critical problem in the UK, where 4.6 million tonnes of edible food—equivalent to 10 billion meals—is wasted annually.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This innovative technology creates a practical solution to redirect perfectly edible food that previously went to waste due to minor cosmetic flaws or short shelf life. By connecting food manufacturers with charities like FareShare, the system ensures this food reaches people experiencing food insecurity through a network of 8,000 community groups. The environmental benefits are substantial too, with the trial estimated to prevent up to 1,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Food companies also stand to gain financially, with potential savings of up to £14 million in running costs, creating a rare win-win scenario for businesses, communities, and the environment.
3️⃣ What’s next: The Zest software is expected to expand across the food supply chain on a subscription basis by March next year, following the current series of pilots with different manufacturers. A second pilot with Nestlé has recently launched with funding from the government agency Innovate UK’s BridgeAI scheme. The project brings together several partners including logistics providers, supply chain management systems, and Google Cloud’s AI platform.
Read the full story here: The Guardian – Food companies’ edible waste given to charities thanks to AI tool trial
