Surplus food redistribution for social purposes: analysis of critical success factors

The issue of surplus food management has been raised in several articles but has not been analysed deeply, so far, in a satisfactory way. In particular, redistribution of surplus food is highly recommended but the critical success factors to save food in upstream stages of food supply chain are not studied. The purpose of this paper is to explore main critical factors for managing surplus food, in particular for redistributing food for human consumption. In order to achieve it, multiple case study methodology is used. Questionnaires for semi structured interviews are prepared based on an extensive literature review and adapted after expert opinions. The interviews are conducted mostly with the supply chain and logistics managers of food manufacturing companies in food sector operating in northern Italy. The interviews show that reusing options are various such as selling in secondary markets, donation to non-profit organizations, marketing and sponsoring actions. They also highlight the key role played by the adoption of measurement and control systems and the careful design of partnerships with non-profit organizations.