Multi-criteria prioritization for affiliation to a food bank in Colombia

Food waste has increased worldwide. There is also a large part of the world's population that does not feed properly and could take advantage of these foods. Food banks are a strategy to minimize food waste and increase food security in vulnerable populations. However, the decision to assign food to those who request support is a problematic situation. The decision must consider multiple criteria that ensure that food goes to the organizations or populations that need it most. A multi-criteria decision model is proposed that integrates the AHP and TOPSIS methods so that a food bank can manage the available resources in the best possible way. The model uses the AHP to weigh the criteria that are considered relevant, and TOPSIS to assess these criteria in each of the alternatives that request support. It is a model that allows decision making in a sustained and dynamic way that was positively valued by a food bank in Colombia.