RE-FOOD: a collaborative movement based on volunteers networking

• Main Author: Martins, Oliva M.D.
• Publication Date: 2022
• Other Authors: Coelho, Ana Sofia, Mateus, Teresa Letra
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/25586
• topic: RE-FOOD; Motivation-opportunity-abilities; Food loss & waste; Collaborative network; Volunteers

Re-Food is a movement fuelled through community goodwill, which aims to reduce hunger by fighting food waste. Created from the work of a single person, Re-Food has grown to become a non-governmental organisation [NGO], with the status of Private Institution of Social Solidarity [PISS]. Through networking collaboration, Re-Food proposes to bring an equilibrium between demand and supply of food products. The Re-Food strategy is based on the redistribution of food received through donations. All donated food is distributed immediately, and there are no stocks to be managed. In a system of food redistribution surplus, a sustainable collaborative network with significant economic, social, and environmental impact should be considered. The sustainable collaborative network is formed by volunteers’ work. The principal aim of this article is to investigate the Re-Food collaborative network. A qualitative methodology is followed, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) [R] and a coordinator of a Re-Food operations centre [C] were interviewed. Additionally, direct observations, and document analysis, support the investigation. The main result suggests a leadership model based on the acceptance of the different employees’ capabilities and motivations, and that technology can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of networking, as well as improve communication between people.