Tackling Food Insecurity Through Food Surplus Redistribution

Food insecurity remains a global problem despite sufficient food production, posing substantial human, economic, and environmental consequences. In the United States, an estimated 83% of edible food is lost at the retail, food service, and consumer sectors. This review examines U.S. surplus food redistribution initiatives across national networks, technology platforms, and community-based efforts. Through a qualitative review of academic literature, organizational websites and government reports, the analysis identifies key challenges such as liability protection, confusing date labeling, and limited efforts in the household sector along with opportunities in AI-based logistics, crowdsourced volunteers and standardized federal policies across the nation. Combining technological innovations with strong policy frameworks and community-based initiatives offer a clear path toward reducing waste and improving food access.