TafelConnect is a new software for managing large food donations to the Tafel association. This innovative system is being designed, adapted and implemented as part of a project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

The aim of TafelConnect is to make the donation of large quantities of food easier, more efficient, and more transparent. To this end, a distribution mechanism is being developed for the donated and often time-critical goods. This will digitize and optimize donation distribution processes between donors, Tafel Deutschland and Tafel state logistics down to the local level. At the same time, the volume of large donations is to be increased and the proportion of rejected food donations reduced. The project also aims to improve and automate data collection and donation statistics.

Various stakeholders play a central role in TafelConnect. These include the regional Tafel associations, the Tafel Deutschland logistics team, major donors, particularly from the food industry, shipping partners, and other food rescue organizations. ZEW is supporting the project as a scientific partner.

The project is particularly well integrated by setting up an interface to the existing Tafel logistics software, the eco-Plattform. This platform manages smaller donations at local and regional level. This integration will create an end-to-end digitalized, transparent and efficient logistics process at all levels of the Tafel association.

The advantages of TafelConnect are manifold and, thanks to the more efficient distribution of donations, benefit in particular the local food banks and thus the Tafel customers.