Community food-sharing networks: design, implementation, and evaluation in urban neighborhoods

Thesis Abstract

Urban food insecurity and food waste challenge resilient urban neighborhoods, necessitating innovative, community-based responses that leverage peer-to-peer sharing practices. This study investigates the design, implementation, and evaluation of community food-sharing networks in diverse urban neighborhoods to assess feasibility, effectiveness, and social impact. The aim is to understand how structured food-sharing networks can reduce food waste, improve access to nutritious foods, and strengthen social capital, while identifying barriers to scalability. The specific objectives are (1) to map existing food-sharing practices and co-create a formal network model with stakeholders; (2) to implement a pilot food-sharing program in four demographically varied neighborhoods over nine months; (3) to evaluate changes in food waste reduction, food security indicators, and social cohesion using mixed methods; (4) to analyze governance, trust, and participation dynamics through stakeholder interviews; and (5) to develop a replicable framework for scalable, sustainable food-sharing initiatives. The methodology adopts a mixed-methods design guided by the theoretical lens of the Social Practice Theory and the Commons framework, complemented by Actor-Network Theory to trace the associations among participants, volunteers, platforms, and institutions. The population comprises residents, volunteers, local businesses, and municipal partners within the four neighborhoods. A purposive sampling strategy will recruit 260 adults (65 per neighborhood) for quantitative surveys, alongside 40 in-depth interviews with participants, organizers, and policymakers. Data collection instruments include structured surveys measuring food security (using the Household Food Security Survey Module), food waste attitudes (Food Waste Attitude Scale), and social capital indices; semi-structured interview guides; participant observation checklists; and platform usage analytics. Validity and reliability will be enhanced through pilot testing, triangulation, and intercoder reliability checks (kappa > 0.80) for qualitative transcripts. Data analysis will employ (i) descriptive and inferential statistics (t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression) to evaluate changes in food security and waste metrics pre- and post-intervention; (ii) structural equation modeling to test relationships among participation, perceived trust, and social cohesion; (iii) thematic analysis of interview data to identify governance, motivators, and barriers; and (iv) network analysis to examine collaboration patterns and information flows within the food-sharing platform. A convergent parallel design will integrate quantitative and qualitative findings, with a synthesis matrix guiding interpretation. Key expected findings include a statistically significant reduction in household food waste (mean waste reduction of 18–25%) and measurable improvements in food security indicators (increase in households experiencing marginal to high food security by 12–15%), particularly in neighborhoods with higher organizational density and inclusive governance practices. It is anticipated that higher levels of participation and trust will correlate with stronger social cohesion, evidenced by increased informal support networks and perceived community resilience. The analysis is also expected to reveal critical drivers of successful implementation, such as transparent governance, clear roles for volunteers, culturally responsive outreach, and alignment with existing municipal food programs, along with barriers including resource limitations, data privacy concerns, and inconsistent volunteer availability. The study contributes to knowledge by articulating a replicable model of urban food-sharing networks that bridges sociological theory and practical design, implementation, and evaluation. It extends Social Practice Theory and the Commons framework in the urban food governance context, offering empirical evidence on how collaborative consumption platforms can transform ordinary practices into sustainable waste reduction and food security outcomes. The research also advances methodological innovation by integrating network analysis with mixed-methods evaluation to capture both macro-level diffusion effects and micro-level experiential insights. The main conclusion is that well-structured community food-sharing networks, grounded in participatory governance and inclusive outreach, can achieve meaningful reductions in food waste and improvements in food security while strengthening social capital in urban neighborhoods. Recommendations include scalable guidelines for developing governance charters, capacity-building for volunteers, data privacy protocols, and policy integration with municipal food programs; future research should explore long-term sustainability, cost-benefit analyses, and cross-city comparative studies to examine adaptability across diverse urban contexts.