The study compares the overall sustainability of two organic and two conventional rice farming systems during the 2022 drought. The research aimed to develop an experiment exploring the ability of an integrated methodological approach to identify tradeoffs and provide actionable insights for a sustainable agricultural transition under extreme climate stress. To this aim, the study employed economic analysis, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for environmental impact, and the OASIS framework for broader social and resilience indicators. The study revealed tradeoffs between the economic efficiency of conventional rice farming and the ecological resilience of organic systems, a conclusion made possible only through its integrated assessment methodology. By combining different methods, the research suggested that while conventional farms achieved clear financial superiority and greater efficiency per ton of rice, organic systems showcased superior ecological performance per hectare, greater biodiversity, and enhanced resilience. This highlights a crucial research frontier focused on designing hybrid systems or new economic models that can translate the environmental resilience of organic methods into tangible market value, effectively resolving the very tradeoffs this comprehensive assessment suggested.

Significant food waste occurs during distribution due to inefficiencies in handling, storage, and logistics. This research investigates food waste in the distribution sector, focusing on quantification and valorization, through three systematic literature reviews and a case study. The first review analyzes food waste quantification in large-scale retail, revealing inconsistent recording methods across supermarkets, which prevent data comparison and the estimation of the average value of waste. The second review examines the catering sectors: hospital canteens (comparing two preparation methods, one of which generates less waste), school canteens (with comparable data), and restaurants (where consumer waste exceeds kitchen waste). The third review explores food waste valorization strategies, classified according to the European Commission's waste hierarchy: prevention, human consumption (donation), feed, material recycling, nutrient and energy recovery, and disposal. Donation, although a priority after prevention, is not always the best option from an environmental point of view. The case study focuses on a food donation service where supermarkets' unsold food is collected, stored in a hub, and converted into meals for people in need. Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the service was shown to have significant environmental benefits—up to 99% reductions in Global Warming Potential and Acidification—due to the avoided impacts of food waste. Socially, it provided 73,493.1 kg of food, enabling daily meals for 134 people. This work highlights the complexity of food waste quantification and the potential of donation strategies in achieving both environmental and social benefits in the distribution sector.