Food Banks in a Complex Reality: Multi-objective Optimization of Nutritional Composition of Food Baskets

Abstract

Food insecurity affects millions of people worldwide, and food banks play a vital role in addressing this issue. However, creating nutritionally balanced and equitable food baskets within a complex context poses significant challenges. In this paper, we propose a multi-objective optimization model that considers factors such as nutritional requirements, dietary restrictions, product expiration, and budget constraints. The model aims to assist food banks in creating food baskets that maximize nutritional coverage while promoting fairness and balance. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the model in achieving balanced nutrition and equitable distribution among beneficiaries using real data. Specifically, we applied the model to a case study of a food bank located in Terrassa, Catalonia. Our results indicate that the model can effectively optimize the allocation of food products while considering overall nutritional coverage, fairness, and balance, demonstrating its potential as a tool for food banks in addressing food insecurity.