Optimizing Resource Efficiency: A Zero Waste Approach to Surplus Food Redistribution Genoa, Italy

• Driving cultural transformation through by means of an integrated framework for salvaging and distributing surplus food to individuals in need
• A framework for distributing surplus food to individuals in need
• Using technology to trace supply chains

Annually, Genoa sees 10,000 tons of food discarded, with a potential recovery of at least 2,000 tons. At the same time over 29,000 individuals are grappling with food scarcity. Established in 2017 in Genoa, the Ricibo Network comprises 70 associations united in the battle against poverty and food waste, receiving support from the Municipality. The network’s objective is to drive cultural transformation by means of an integrated framework for salvaging and distributing surplus food to individuals in need. It’s further augmented by an educational initiative tailored for elementary, middle, and high schools. The Ricibo Network employs the Bringthefood (BTF) App to transparently and collaboratively trace supply chains, while assessing their socioeconomic and environmental impact.
Since 2019, the educational project “Buon appetite, piatto pulito” (Enjoy Your Meal) has engaged 92 classes and 150 educators across elementary, middle, and high schools. In 2022, the catering service embraced the Green Food Week initiative, delivering eco-friendly, low-impact meals composed of organic and locally sourced ingredients to all schools under the Municipality of Genoa.
Collectively, the associations of the Ricibo Network reclaimed approximately 266 tons of surplus food in the year 2021.