Navigating farm waste problems: introducing the Gleaning Innovation Framework

Abstract

Purpose

Managing farm waste is a fundamental problem for farmers with economic, environmental and social impacts throughout the supply chain. Little research has explored innovative product solutions. This paper examines gleaning to reduce farm waste and proposes a resource-based Gleaning Innovation Framework which can lead to differentiated consumer products.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-method approach, including descriptive company reviews, practitioner interviews and consumer surveys, evaluated how different participants in the food supply chain view the farm waste problem and the innovation of products through gleaning.

Findings

This research found that practitioners and consumers are cognizant and invested in reducing farm waste, with gleaning as a plausible solution. Future research includes gathering perspectives from retailers and other supply chain members, which may further develop the conceptualization of the gleaning innovation process.

Originality/value

Uniquely, the authors propose the Gleaning Innovation Framework that provides a platform for innovation across the supply chain to reduce farm waste. The research contributes to the farm waste debate with evidence that gleaning can assist the reduction of farm waste through product innovation. Developing innovations to reduce farm waste in sustainable and environmentally friendly ways would not only benefit the supply chain platform but also society.

Citation

Mueller, S.M., Kowalczyk, C.M., Taillon, B.J. and Rowe, W.J. (2024), "Navigating farm waste problems: introducing the Gleaning Innovation Framework", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 52 No. 9, pp. 949-964. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-11-2022-0453