The researchers are collaborating with several universities and organisations, including Matmissionen, a membership-based social supermarket run by Stadsmissionen. It offers donated surplus food from restaurants and food retailers at reduced prices to people on low incomes.
Ulrik Svedin
鈥淔ood waste, food insecurity and disruptions to food supply chains are major societal challenges. At the same time, large quantities of surplus food are generated in food production, retail and distribution,鈥� says Veronica Lindstr枚m, Associate Professor in Production Economics at Link枚ping University.
鈥淭iming is crucial鈥�
For Matmissionen in Sk盲ggetorp, Link枚ping, better coordination and earlier information about donations could make its operations easier to manage.
鈥淚t is really exciting to think that the research could help us address bottlenecks in the logistics. Staffing is difficult to plan because we do not know when a donation will arrive. Timing is also crucial, as donated food can deteriorate or approach its use-by or best-before date before it can be distributed or sold. Efficient logistics and early information about donations are therefore important,鈥� says Helin Kasirga J盲rln盲s, Partnerships and Development Coordinator at Matmissionen.
Drawing on her previous experience of production planning and control in large industrial companies, Veronica Lindstr枚m is investigating information on demand and resources. She is particularly interested in how transport routes and coordination between different actors can be improved, thereby helping both to reduce food waste and to use resources more efficiently.
Uncertainties
鈥淚n the automotive industry, for example, there is a high degree of control over the supply chain. With surplus food, however, there are many uncertainties because we do not always know when a donation will arrive or what it will contain. This requires a flexible organisation, which often entails additional costs.鈥�
It is not enough for companies to be willing to donate surplus food. Recipient organisations must have the capacity to handle the donations and make well-informed decisions based on food quality, supply and demand, transport, shelf life and local needs.
鈥淥ne part of the project focuses on visual sensing technology. We are investigating how cameras and sensors can be used to assess the condition and availability of food. We are also studying how visualisation and decision support can help organisations plan redistribution, coordinate transport and make more sustainable decisions,鈥� says Veronica Lindstr枚m.
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Ulrik Svedin
One option is to use existing transport services, such as taxis, to transport surplus food. Researchers in Canada are developing a mobile application designed to facilitate coordination between food donors, transport providers, recipient organisations and people who use food bank services. A pilot study has already been carried out in Canada.
Cybersecurity
At a workshop at Link枚ping University in October 2026, international researchers and local stakeholders discussed how the Canadian model could be adapted to Swedish conditions.
鈥淐ustomers can easily see which food items are available in the social supermarket that day,鈥� explained Elkafi Hassini, Professor at McMaster University in Canada, when presenting the pilot study.
The application is also being developed to support Swedish, opening up the possibility of a small-scale pilot study involving Matmissionen and its network for receiving and distributing food.
Another important part of the project is cybersecurity. As the redistribution of surplus food becomes increasingly digitally interconnected, information needs to be shared securely and reliably
UIrik Svedin听Gurjot Singh, Assitant Professor in cyber security.
鈥淐yberattacks can have consequences far beyond digital systems. They can disrupt essential societal services and affect food supply. My research focuses on protecting critical digital infrastructure. The findings will form the basis for a secure conceptual architecture for trusted information sharing,鈥� says Gurjot Singh, Assistant Professor in Cybersecurity and one of the project leaders at Link枚ping University.
Personal data within the system
The importance of cybersecurity in food systems was recently highlighted following a reported cyberattack in France in which attackers targeted refrigeration systems in food retailers.
Privacy is also important when information about individuals and their circumstances is processed.
鈥淧rotecting this type of information is not only about data security. It is also about respecting people鈥檚 dignity and avoiding the unnecessary disclosure of private circumstances. We need to understand what information is being shared, who should have access to it and how it can be protected,鈥� adds Gurjot Singh.
