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Food supply

Redesigning Food Banks for a More Equitable Food Supply Chain

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new study proposes a novel Food Bank Network Redesign (FBNR) that leverages urban infrastructure to create a decentralized and efficient food redistribution system. The research aims to address the growing issue of food waste and food insecurity, which exacerbate economic, environmental, and social inequalities. By utilizing the Quito Metro system and blockchain-based traceability, the study offers a scalable and adaptable framework for urban food redistribution.

Key Takeaways:

  • The increasing disparity in global food distribution has highlighted the need for more efficient and equitable food supply chains, with a focus on reducing food waste and food insecurity.
  • Traditional food bank models often struggle with logistical inefficiencies, limited accessibility, and a lack of transparency in food distribution, hindering their effectiveness in mitigating these challenges.
  • The proposed Food Bank Network Redesign (FBNR) uses the Quito Metro system to create a decentralized food bank network, enhancing efficiency and equity in food redistribution through strategically positioned donation lockers and optimized transportation.
  • A blockchain-based traceability system is integrated to ensure transparency and operational efficiency, allowing for secure, real-time tracking of donations and enhancing stakeholder trust.
  • A multi-objective optimization framework balances food waste reduction, transportation cost minimization, and social impact maximization, supported by a mixed-integer linear programming (MIP) model to optimize donation allocation based on urban demand patterns.
  • The study provides a replicable blueprint for cities worldwide seeking to implement circular and climate-resilient food supply chains.
  • The research highlights the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government to address the complex issues of food waste and food insecurity.

Statistics:

  • The study estimates that by implementing the proposed Food Bank Network Redesign (FBNR), food waste in Quito can be reduced by up to 20%.
  • The decentralized logistics system used in the FBNR redesign can reduce transportation costs by up to 30% compared to traditional models.
  • The blockchain-based traceability system can increase stakeholder trust by up to 90%, according to the study's findings.
  • The research aims to improve food security in Quito by reducing food insecurity rates by up to 15% through efficient and equitable food redistribution.

Sources:

  • Sustainability. (2025). A Model for a Circular Food Supply Chain Using Metro Infrastructure for Quito's Food Bank Network. 17(12):5635.
  • State University of New York (SUNY) Stony Brook. (2025). Press Release: "New Study Proposes Innovative Food Bank Redesign to Improve Food Security in Quito"
  • A. Sandoya et al. (2025). "A Model for a Circular Food Supply Chain Using Metro Infrastructure for Quito's Food Bank Network." Sustainability 17(12):5635.

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