Peace through the plate: exploring enabling factors for sustainable food-waste business models in conflict and crisis contexts

Abstract

This study explores the perceived macro-, meso- and micro-level enabling factors for sustainable business models aimed at preventing and reducing food waste in stable and crisis-affected contexts and examines the potential pathways through which these models may support economic recovery, environmental sustainability and social development. The methodology adopts a comparative, quantitative survey-based approach, drawing on two complementary questionnaires conducted in Europe and Latin America with key stakeholders across the food system. Micro- and macro-level factors are important in both contexts, while meso-level factors become particularly relevant in fragile and crisis-affected environments. In these settings, elements such as stakeholder engagement, coordination with public institutions and the establishment of formal agreements are perceived by stakeholders as especially important, suggesting potential pathways toward economic inclusion, social cohesion and long-term sustainable development. This study offers a novel multi-level comparison of food loss and waste prevention and reduction sustainable business models across stable and fragile contexts, linking macro-, meso- and micro-level factors to resilience and inclusive socio-economic development. It further identifies perceived pathways through which these models may strengthen local capacities, support inclusive economic recovery and foster long-term socio-economic stability.