Food waste constitutes one of the twenty-first century’s most critical sustainability challenges, creating severe social, economic, and environmental repercussions. This paradox is particularly acute in developing countries, where millions endure food insecurity while massive quantities of edible resources are discarded due to inadequate institutional attention and regulatory frameworks. Although international literature on the circular economy has expanded, few studies successfully integrate logistical, legal, and social dimensions within operations optimization for emerging economies, limiting the understanding of how structural factors hinder regulatory incentives. Consequently, this research aims to design a supply chain focused on reducing meat waste through donations by addressing the specific operational and regulatory requirements of developing nations. The methodology employs a mixed approach, combining a regulatory analysis of legislation against international standards with quantitative logistics optimization models to maximize redistribution efficiency. A case study within the Colombian food sector validates this model through specific performance indicators. In Colombia, where 34% of production is wasted despite 30% of the population facing food insecurity, laws such as Law 1990 of 2019 and Law 2380 of 2024 provide tax incentives. However, a disconnect between frameworks and logistical capacities restricts recovery to only 12%. This study contributes theoretically by bridging the gap in Food Loss and Waste literature regarding emerging economies through operations research, while practically demonstrating how adjusting supply chain designs can leverage regulatory benefits to effectively mitigate food loss.