Food wastage and hunger are two major social problems in Trinidad & Tobago. Nourish TT uses an app to move surplus food from the supply chain directly to charities who serve meals to the needy and vulnerable.
Hunger is alarmingly high in Trinidad & Tobago. An estimated 100,000 people (7.4% of the population) are afflicted with hunger. This compares to less than 5.5% for the Latin America and Caribbean. Yet, we are considered by the World Bank to be 'the most wasteful country in the world' (per urban capita). Enough food is lost or wasted through retailing alone to end hunger altogether. There is a desperate need for initiatives to reduce both hunger and food waste in our twin islands.
We believe that in a high income country with abundant food, no one should ever go hungry. Nourish seeks to ensure that instead of being thrown away, good food gets to people who need it the most. Nourish uses web and mobile technology to connect food companies (supermarkets, food distributors and manufacturers) that have surplus food to charities in the community that use that food to feed people in need.
The project will provide a consistent supply of nutritious meals to charities with meal programs, serving 800-1000 needy persons daily. Reduced hunger leads to better health, educational and job performance, and even a decrease in crime. Reduced food wastage also greatly minimises the high financial and environmental costs of dumping. Charities are able to redirect funding to support other areas of the community.
