This peer-reviewed scoping review synthesizes 30 years of global evidence (1995–2024) on food rescue and retail-level food loss and waste (FLW) reduction interventions. Reviewing 400 records and fully analyzing 18 studies, the authors document how surplus food from restaurants, institutions, farms, wholesalers, and retail stores is recovered and redistributed for human consumption.
The review identifies major intervention models—including traditional food banks, volunteer-driven collection networks, social enterprise models, “free stores,” app-based redistribution platforms, and campus food-sharing systems. Common metrics include weight of food rescued, number of meals generated, greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, and number of people served.
Key barriers include logistical complexity (timing, transport, cold chain), liability concerns, irregular volunteer availability, inconsistent donation volumes, and financial constraints. Facilitators include supportive policies (e.g., Good Samaritan laws), digital tools (apps, platforms, “Food Rescue Robot”), strong community partnerships, and innovative redistribution approaches that reduce stigma.
The authors conclude that while food rescue plays an important short-term role, it does not resolve structural drivers of FLW—such as inequitable food systems, overproduction, and insufficient policy action. They recommend standardized metrics, stronger evaluation frameworks, and systems-level reforms aligned with circular economy principles.
Resource type:
Peer review