The devastating COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the fragility of society, particularly in areas such as healthcare systems, supply chains, and social support. People who once felt stable suddenly faced the harsh reality of vulnerability. Once considered a distant concern, food insecurity became a daily struggle for millions as economic instability led to layoffs and shortages. Even in prosperous countries like Switzerland, cracks began to show. In March 2020, Amine Diare-Conde, a former refugee, witnessed the closure of social service agencies and food banks in his adopted country, risking food waste and adding to the already large number of people living below the poverty line.

Unprecedented Lockdown and Food Waste

The unprecedented lockdown brought about significant changes in consumer demand. Surplus food and necessities accumulated in warehouses while families went hungry, exacerbating the existing food waste crisis. Millions of tons of food are wasted annually in Switzerland alone, and globally, food waste accounts for a quarter of the environmental impact of the food system.During this time, Diare-Conde saw an opportunity to address two urgent challenges simultaneously - feeding the needy and reducing food waste. He founded Essen für Alle (EfA), a volunteer-run non-governmental organization dedicated to eradicating hunger by redistributing surplus food.

IT Solutions for EfA

Diare-Conde found an unlikely IT lead in thirteen-year-old Matthias Beeler, who coded the software that got EfA up and running. As the organization grew, Beeler's homegrown solution struggled to keep up with complex logistics. Enter Keywan Nadjmabadi, who proposed that his employer, SAP Switzerland, sponsor the organization's new software and build a cloud-based technology foundation. SAP quickly agreed, and within five months, EfA's new software, created using SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), went live.This cloud-based, mobile-optimized solution has streamlined food distribution and volunteer management. It enables the distribution of around 900 tons of food and the management of 10,000 volunteer shifts while providing 360-degree visibility for planning and oversight. Advanced analytics also enable further process innovation and optimization.For EfA's clients, the new solution's stringent protocols for safeguarding personal data are of particular importance. "Many clients ask if we can guarantee the security of their details, and with SAP, we can," Diare-Conde said. By leveraging SAP BTP's AI-enabled business optical character recognition (OCR) capability, new clients have a seamless registration process, while returning clients enjoy a smooth check-in.The scalable nature of the SAP BTP solution means it can evolve with the organization. "We are constantly working on enhancements," Nadjmabadi said. SAP BTP integrated and connected the entire EfA landscape.Every Saturday, 1,000 volunteers distribute 20 tons of food to 2,000 people at up to five locations across Switzerland. The impact is even greater as some recipients collect food for entire families, serving as many as 10,000 people each week.

Future Plans and Impact

Unfortunately, the demand for EfA's services is increasing. In 2023, 30,223 refugees applied for asylum in Switzerland, a 20% increase from 2022. Diare-Conde plans to expand across Switzerland and is exploring a partnership with a German food bank.Given that food waste accounts for 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gases, EfA's impact extends beyond Switzerland's borders. By redirecting tons of food from waste to those in need, EfA is blazing a trail that others may follow.Technology should serve people, not the other way around. Pascal Bornet, known for his thought leadership in intelligent automation and digital transformation, emphasized the importance of designing technology with empathy.To learn more about how Essen für Alle is making a difference, explore the full episode and other success stories on sap.com/btp.Timo Elliott is VP and global innovation advocate for SAP BTP at SAP.Get the latest SAP news delivered to your inbox once a week.