Technology & Humanity
Can Surplus-food Apps Have Too Much Competition?
From Phys.org Archaeology · October 21, 2026
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire and California State University, Fullerton, have developed a mathematical model to study how retailers balance traditional sales with discounted surplus food apps. According to the study published in Decision Sciences, while these platforms can help reduce waste, the results are not always positive.
Wei Wei, an assistant professor of decision sciences, noted that while competition initially helps reduce waste, there is a tipping point where intense competition can cause food waste to rise. This occurs because consumers may receive more food than they can consume, leading to waste at home. Additionally, the research found that as competition increases, retailer profits tend to decline even as consumers continue to benefit.
The study suggests that the effectiveness of these platforms depends heavily on local market conditions. Researchers recommend that retailers use strategic pricing and bag sizes based on local competition and projected in-store demand to achieve better outcomes.
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