Issue 26: AI for Food Security

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are a collection of 17 interconnected global goals designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They were established by the UN General Assembly in 2015, with the intention of addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice, and are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I have been deeply engaged in many of these. Most recently I started advising a young nonprofit organization, EatHappy working on food rescue. Zero Hunger is SDG #2. It has been most gratifying, to look into the ecosystem of players, what technology and tools they need to prepare them for national growth, and how AI can be leveraged to address food security in general. Additionally, it has been eye-opening to understand the scale of the problem, and I wanted to share the learnings in this issue today.

Introduction

The world produces enough food to feed 10 billion people, 1.5 times the current population, thanks to innovations in food production since 1960. However, nearly 800 million people currently lack access to sufficient food, and another 2 billion are projected to join them by 2050. According to UNICEF, around 149 million children under the age of five are stunted (low height for age) due to malnutrition. Ironically, 30% of all food produced globally is never consumed, with about 1.3 billion metric tons wasted each year. This food waste has a two-fold impact: it hinders efforts to end global hunger and harms the environment.

In the US, 30-40 percent of the food produced is wasted, and the largest percentage of that, about 40% of that happens in our own homes....

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The food rescue ecosystem is complex.

There are Donors, Intermediaries, Food Banks, Consumers, Transporation and logistics partners, volunteers, in the simplified view.

Regional Food Insecurity

• Africa: The continent faces the highest levels of food insecurity, with over 250 million people affected. Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable due to factors like conflict, climate change, and economic instability.
• Asia: Despite significant economic growth, Asia has a high number of undernourished people, especially in South Asia. India alone accounts for a large portion of the global undernourished population.
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Food insecurity is on the rise in this region, with about 47 million people affected. The situation is exacerbated by economic crises and political instability in some countries.
• North America and Europe: While these regions have lower overall food insecurity rates, certain populations, including low-income households and marginalized communities, still experience significant food access issues.

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Efforts to Address Food Insecurity

• Global Initiatives: Organizations like the FAO, World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF work towards reducing food insecurity through various programs and interventions.
• Sustainable Development Goals: The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
• Technological Innovations: AI, biotechnology, and other technologies are being leveraged to improve agricultural productivity, optimize supply chains, and enhance food distribution.

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Enter AI:

AI can be and is already being used in various innovative ways to reduce food waste across different stages of the food supply chain. Here are some key applications:

1. Precision Agriculture

• Yield Prediction: AI algorithms predict crop yields, allowing farmers to plan harvests more accurately and reduce the amount of surplus produce.
• Harvest Timing: AI analyzes weather patterns and crop conditions to determine the optimal harvest time, minimizing the risk of spoilage.

2. Supply Chain Optimization

• Demand Forecasting: AI systems predict consumer demand with high accuracy, helping retailers and suppliers adjust their orders and inventory levels to avoid overstocking.
• Smart Logistics: AI optimizes routing and scheduling for transportation, ensuring that food reaches its destination faster and in better condition, thus reducing spoilage during transit.

3. Inventory Management

• Automated Stock Management: AI-powered systems monitor inventory levels in real-time and provide recommendations for reordering, helping retailers maintain optimal stock levels.
• Shelf Life Prediction: AI models predict the shelf life of perishable goods based on various factors, allowing stores to prioritize the sale of items nearing their expiration date.

4. Retail Solutions

• Dynamic Pricing: AI-driven dynamic pricing strategies adjust the prices of perishable goods in real-time based on their remaining shelf life, encouraging consumers to buy items before they go bad.
• Waste Analytics: AI analyzes waste data to identify patterns and causes of food waste, enabling retailers to implement targeted waste reduction strategies.

5. Consumer Applications

• Smart Fridges: AI-integrated smart fridges monitor the contents, track expiration dates, and suggest recipes based on the available ingredients to help consumers use up their food before it spoils.
• Meal Planning Apps: AI-powered apps recommend personalized meal plans and shopping lists, helping consumers buy the right quantities of food and reduce waste.

6. Food Rescue and Redistribution

• Food Donation Platforms: AI connects retailers, restaurants, and individuals with surplus food to organizations that redistribute it to those in need, ensuring that excess food is used rather than wasted.
• Logistics for Food Banks: AI optimizes the collection and distribution routes for food banks, ensuring efficient use of resources and minimizing waste.

7. Waste-to-Resource Technologies

• Food Waste Processing: AI is used in facilities that convert food waste into bioenergy, compost, or animal feed, optimizing the processes and improving efficiency.
• Circular Economy Initiatives: AI supports the development of circular economy models, where food waste is reused or repurposed, reducing the overall waste footprint.

8. Climate and Environmental Impact

• Climate Prediction: AI models predict weather patterns and climate change impacts, helping farmers plan their activities to mitigate adverse effects.
• Sustainable Practices: AI supports the adoption of sustainable farming practices by providing insights into water usage, pest control, and crop rotation.

9. Research and Development

• Genetic Research: AI accelerates research in crop genetics, leading to the development of more resilient and nutritious crop varieties.
• Food Innovation: AI drives innovation in food processing and packaging, extending shelf life and improving nutritional value.

10. Community and Policy Support

• Data-Driven Policy Making: AI provides data-driven insights to policymakers, helping design effective food security strategies and interventions.
• Community Engagement: AI-powered platforms facilitate community engagement and education, promoting awareness and participation in food security initiatives.

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Examples of AI in Action

• IBM Food Trust: Uses blockchain and AI to provide transparency and traceability in the food supply chain, helping reduce waste by identifying inefficiencies and ensuring food safety.
• Winnow Solutions: An AI-based food waste management system that tracks and analyzes food waste in commercial kitchens, providing insights and recommendations to reduce waste.
• Too Good To Go: An app that connects consumers with restaurants and stores offering unsold food at reduced prices, leveraging AI to match supply and demand effectively.

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?References:

Reducing food loss amid the global food crisis | McKinsey

The Food Waste Challenge – WellBeing International (wellbeingintl.org)

Food Waste Is Becoming Top Priority For Grocers - And They Are Trying To Get Shoppers Involved Too (forbes.com)

Coming Up Next

Articles in development, covering AI in the following areas :

Crisis Management

AgriTech

Education in Low resource environments

Healthcare

Small Businesses

Restaurant delivery

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