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A theory-based evaluation of food waste policy: Evidence from Italy

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  • Busetti, Simone

Abstract

Italy recently reformed its food waste policy by introducing innovative measures, such as the possibility of donating food after the best-before date (BBD) and a significant simplification of the bureaucracy of donations. These measures are advocated by food waste specialists and are thought to increase donations almost automatically. The article performs a theory-based evaluation using the method of realist synthesis to investigate the two measures, test their implicit assumptions, and provide a more complete picture of how the policy works. The results highlight the marginal importance of bureaucratic procedures in the cost structure of donations, the diverse responses of different donors and food rescue organisations, and the importance of considering the capacity and preferences of charities when an increase in donations is expected. Further, the analysis uncovers severe reputational risks that limit both the supply of and demand for food past the BBD, despite legal provisions promoting its donation.

Suggested Citation

  • Busetti, Simone, 2019. "A theory-based evaluation of food waste policy: Evidence from Italy," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:88:y:2019:i:c:s0306919219305664
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2019.101749
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    Cited by:

    1. Yi Luo & Dong Huang & Fangfang Cao, 2022. "The Impact of Family Members Serving as Village Cadres on Rural Household Food Waste: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Min, Shi & Wang, Xiaobing & Yu, Xiaohua, 2021. "Does dietary knowledge affect household food waste in the developing economy of China?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    3. Byrne, Anne T. & Just, David R., 2022. "Review: Private food assistance in high income countries: A guide for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    4. Lingfei Wang & Yuqin Yang & Guoyan Wang, 2022. "The Clean Your Plate Campaign: Resisting Table Food Waste in an Unstable World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Dubey, Nistha & Tanksale, Ajinkya, 2022. "A study of barriers for adoption and growth of food banks in India using hybrid DEMATEL and Analytic Network Process," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    6. Daniele Fattibene & Francesca Recanati & Katarzyna Dembska & Marta Antonelli, 2020. "Urban Food Waste: A Framework to Analyse Policies and Initiatives," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-18, August.
    7. Fang Liu & Zhi Liu, 2022. "Quantitative Evaluation of Waste Separation Management Policies in the Yangtze River Delta Based on the PMC Index Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-24, March.
    8. Mariarosaria Lombardi & Marco Costantino, 2020. "A Social Innovation Model for Reducing Food Waste: The Case Study of an Italian Non-Profit Organization," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, July.
    9. Mariarosaria Lombardi & Marco Costantino, 2021. "A Hierarchical Pyramid for Food Waste Based on a Social Innovation Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    10. Li Jia & Guanghua Qiao, 2022. "Quantification, Environmental Impact, and Behavior Management: A Bibliometric Analysis and Review of Global Food Waste Research Based on CiteSpace," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-24, September.

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