Khaane Mein Kya Hai

BUFFET of Choices over Food Tech Platforms

If you missed this year’s Ramzaan Food Walk in Hyderabad, do join us next year. For the time being, you could watch this video!

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DTW

During the Week, Food delivery company Zomato on Tuesday launched a "large order fleet" to handle orders for groups of people or events. According to the Zomato chief executive Deepinder Goyal - “This is an all-electric fleet, designed specifically to serve orders for a gathering of up to 50 people.”

Is this End of Restaurants as we know them ? We have already seen the rise of Cloud Kitchens and Ready to Cook Kits. Both of these bring the restaurants as commodities to Foodies’ homes. Both Zomato and Swiggy run Cloud Kitchens and are scaling them faster to serve multiple partners. We have also seen an increase in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) cooking kits. Both existing platforms like BigBasket as well standalone platforms like BlueApron are ready to bring a whole new food experience to Indian Homes. FoodTech start-up Rebel Food with brands like Behrouz Biryani have also started experimenting with DIY food kits.

We could use the BUFFET framework to navigating the dynamic landscape of FoodTech innovation. In this framework, we discuss key aspects shaping the future of Digital Platforms and their impact on the food industry. From traceability and distribution efficiency to personalized experiences and sustainability, BUFFET encapsulates the diverse strategies and technologies driving transformative changes in how we produce, distribute, and consume food.

Barcode/BlockChain Traceability: Utilizing barcode technology enables easy traceability of food products from farm to table. Each product is assigned a unique barcode that contains essential information such as origin, production date, and expiration date. This traceability ensures food safety, quality control, and transparency for consumers. For example, BigBasket in India utilizes barcode technology for product identification, inventory management, and order tracking, enhancing efficiency and reliability in the supply chain.

Ultra-Efficient Distribution: Leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) devices and predictive analytics optimizes the distribution of food products, reducing waste and improving delivery efficiency. Amazon's use of drones for quick deliveries and real-time tracking of packages globally exemplifies ultra-efficient distribution. In India, companies like Swiggy and Zomato utilize data analytics to predict demand, optimize delivery routes, and ensure timely and accurate deliveries to customers. We may go further back in value chain and consider some of the AgriTech platforms like Fasal. Many of these tech-enabled businesses are using high-tech drones, IoT devices and data analytics to solve production and procurement problems in Indian Agriculture.

Farm-to-Table Personalization: Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics enable personalized food experiences based on consumer preferences. McDonald's AI-powered recommendation systems analyze customer data to offer personalized menus, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty globally. In India, FreshToHome utilizes AI algorithms to predict customer preferences, curate personalized offerings, and ensure freshness in food deliveries. Over last five years, I have worked with Indian Institute of Millets Research and their Technology Business Incubator NutriHub both of which are instrumental in ensuring nutritional security through mentoring Nutricereal startups

Futuristic Dining Experiences: Integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies into food platforms creates immersive dining experiences for consumers. Starbucks' AR app allows customers to visualize menu items and customize their orders before purchase, enhancing engagement and interaction. In India, InnerChef's VR cooking classes provide users with virtual culinary experiences, teaching cooking techniques and fostering creativity in the kitchen.

Engaging Community Platforms: Online food communities and social platforms promote sharing of culinary knowledge, recipes, and experiences among users. Platforms like Tasty and Food Network Kitchen globally, and Cookpad and BetterButter in India, serve as hubs for food enthusiasts to share recipes, connect with like-minded individuals, and explore diverse culinary cultures. Global Platforms like EatWith and AuthentiCook in India bring in good food and sense of community when guests can “Step inside hosts' homes to explore new cultures through intimate culinary events”. Of course, office as a social interaction platform would increasingly decrease in importance and perhaps food & bonding over food in food places (may be not restaurants )can provide that social opportunity for all.

Tech-Driven Sustainability: Incorporating technology into sustainable farming practices and eco-friendly initiatives helps reduce food waste and environmental impact. Companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat globally produce plant-based alternatives using advanced food technology, promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on animal agriculture. In India, AgroStar leverages technology solutions to educate farmers about sustainable farming practices, optimize resource utilization, and contribute to environmental conservation efforts. Charity Platforms like Feeding India have contributed millions of meals both before and during the Covid-19. Smaller experiments like Food ATM , Food Sharing Platforms and standalone community fridges outside food joints to serve homeless and hungry provide ray of hope in using platforms for greater common good.

In conclusion, the BUFFET framework presents a comprehensive approach to understanding the future of FoodTech platforms. By focusing on various aspects such as Business Models, User Experience, Flexibility, Food Innovation, Ecosystem Collaboration, and Traceability, this framework provides a roadmap for companies and policymakers to navigate the evolving landscape of the food industry.

The integration of digital technology and innovation has the potential to revolutionize how food is produced, distributed, and consumed. Platforms that prioritize user experience and offer flexible solutions stand to gain a competitive advantage in the market. Collaboration within the ecosystem can foster innovation and create synergies that benefit all stakeholders.

However, it's crucial to approach these advancements with caution. Issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations must be carefully addressed to ensure the sustainable and responsible growth of FoodTech platforms. Additionally, efforts should be made to bridge the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of technology are accessible to all segments of society, especially in the context of food and nutrition security.

The jarring note in this food tech symphony is the harsh reality of the working and living conditions of their app-based workers which has recently been unveiled in a report by the People’s Association In Grassroots Action and Movement (PAIGAM), University of Pennsylvania and the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers. The findings of the survey highlight the pressing demand for stakeholders in the food delivery sector, including policymakers and companies, to tackle concerns surrounding working conditions, earnings, and the general welfare of gig workers. Prioritizing initiatives aimed at guaranteeing fair remuneration, job stability, and providing mental health assistance is crucial for nurturing a sustainable and just gig economy environment for food delivery workers in India.

OTW

Over the Weekend, I attended The Business Conclave, an event organised by IBS Hyderabad BBA Placement Cell that brought together industry leaders, academicians, and aspiring business professionals to deliberate on the latest in management and technology. The theme "Navigating Business Frontiers: Innovations and Challenges." was discussed through two panel discussions on Innovations in Business: Adapting to Change and Technology Trends Shaping the Future.

Congratulations to the organizers, esteemed panelists, and the moderators for their insightful contributions and for making this event a resounding success. The conference was highly beneficial for management education, especially for undergraduate BBA programs in India, as it provided insights into cutting-edge innovations and challenges faced by businesses in today's dynamic environment.

This weekend also brought our running community together during a house warming ceremony. Congratulations to Kushagra Tyagi and family for their new abode. May this new beginning bring health and happiness to all.

Your house shall be not an anchor but a mast.
     It shall not be a glistening film that covers a wound, but an eyelid that guards the eye.
     You shall not fold your wings that you may pass through doors, nor bend your heads that they strike not against a ceiling, nor fear to breathe lest walls should crack and fall down.
     You shall not dwell in tombs made by the dead for the living.
     And though of magnificence and splendour, your house shall not hold your secret nor shelter your longing.
     For that which is boundless in you abides in the mansion of the sky, whose door is the morning mist, and whose windows are the songs and the silences of night.

-On Houses Kahlil Gibran 1883 –1931

I Love You

Shailendra