Food‐Sharing Apps' Role in Mitigating Food Waste: Examples From Poland and Czechia

Abstract

The growing challenge of food waste is a frequent topic in international debate, as significant amounts of food remain unrecovered despite being a basic need. Digital platforms and mobile applications now play a key role in redistributing surplus food by connecting local entrepreneurs and catering services with consumers. While existing research has focused primarily on food‐sharing applications' (FSAs') business models and user behaviour, the spatial dimension of these platforms remains understudied. Our research examines FSAs as business‐to‐customer (B2C) solutions that directly connect catering facilities with consumers, analysing their role in supporting food waste mitigation across diverse urban contexts in Poland (Warsaw, Krakow) and Czechia (Prague, Brno). Through spatial analysis of FSA‐participating establishments' locations and the types of food saved, we investigate how the B2C model operates within different urban functional zones, from tourist‐heavy city centres to residential districts. Our findings reveal distinct patterns in how FSA adoption aligns with cities' functional characteristics, with higher concentrations in multifunctional urban cores and emerging presence in revitalized residential areas. This spatial distribution reflects both the business opportunities within the B2C model and the cities' varied functional roles, from tourist destinations to administrative centres. Our findings highlight how FSAs align with urban functions, offering insights for expanding coverage to underserved areas while adapting to local characteristics.