Connected Ecosystems Can Supercharge Food Waste Reduction

For this year’s World Food Day, the theme is “Nourishing the Planet, Together” which emphasises that reducing food waste is a challenge that requires collaboration across the entire food retail supply chain all the way from government to local communities.

Food waste is not just a consumer issue. It occurs at every stage of the supply chain, from farm and factory to distribution and retail. Inefficiencies, equipment failures and inaccurate demand forecasting all contribute to unnecessary losses. Even minor disruptions in storage conditions or transport can compromise food quality, shorten shelf life and increase waste. Addressing these challenges requires both collaboration and technology that can connect and align each part of the chain.

The role of connected ecosystems

 At IMS Evolve, we help food retailers and their supply chain partners create connected ecosystems that integrate IoT and AI technologies. IoT-enabled monitoring allows refrigeration, storage and transport systems to be observed and managed in real time. Powerful sensors help track temperature, humidity, and movement for companies across the supply chain, ensuring products are kept in optimal conditions throughout their journey. According to Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) research, extending the shelf life of a product by just one day could save up to 250,000 tonnes of food waste annually in the UK alone.

AI enables vast swathes of data to be analysed across the supply chain immediately. Providing actionable insights for demand forecasting, inventory management and equipment performance. Predictive analytics can highlight potential faults before they escalate, while automated responses maintain operational continuity. Used in tandem, IoT and AI allow retailers to safeguard food quality and prevent waste before it occurs.

 Linking the supply chain

 The true power of IMS Evolve lies when these technologies are connected across the entire supply chain. Isolated adoption of IoT or AI cannot fully eliminate inefficiencies. A retailer may have advanced monitoring in-store, but if suppliers or distributors are not integrated into the same ecosystem, opportunities to reduce waste are lost. We can help businesses align their systems, processes, and data flows, enabling seamless communication from farm to supermarket shelf. Actions in one part of the chain can trigger immediate responses elsewhere, creating a coordinated and agile supply chain.

Connected ecosystems also enable smarter decision-making. IMS Evolve’s platform allows stakeholders to share inventory and production data safely and quickly, reducing overproduction and over-ordering. Retailers can plan more accurately, suppliers can adjust production based on demand, and surplus food can be redirected before it spoils. This collaborative approach aligns directly with World Food Day 2025, emphasising that the planet can only be nourished sustainably when the entire supply chain works together.

Moving from technology to impact

We support retailers and supply chain partners in turning connected ecosystem principles into real-world results. By integrating IoT and AI, businesses can monitor critical assets and improve operational efficiency. However, technology alone is not enough. Greater collaboration across the supply chain will ensure that data flows freely, actions are coordinated and the full potential of innovative technologies are realised.

By embracing connected ecosystems, the food retail sector can deliver fresher products to customers, reduce unnecessary losses and help combat the alarming rise of food waste. On World Food Day, there is a clear message. That greater collaboration and improved data sharing can support nourishing the planet with connected ecosystems providing the foundation needed.