This week, we look into how data and technology allow food banks across the country to increase efficiency and provide food to those less fortunate.
With the giving season in full swing, food banks across the US are experiencing an increase in donations of food for those less fortunate. In the past, this annual influx of goods and perishables was managed solely by volunteers. This year, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is hoping to work more efficiently by relying on logistics software and technology similarly used by retailers to manage the spike in donations.
Food banks are beginning to learn from the retail bigwigs like Amazon and Wal-Mart about how to manage and make better use of large increases in inventory. Food banks have traditionally raced to deliver perishable items before they expire, setting non-perishables aside for when donations slow. Not the most effective system. With donated logistics software and technology from Exact Macola, Second Harvest is tracking and managing the data of food delivery — taking control of the flow of food coming into its warehouse, decreasing the amount of spoiled food, and better preparing for the future.
Read the Wall Street Journal’s article here.
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