Grocery stores throw out a huge amount of perfectly good food that is not sold as it approaches its “sell by“ date. Flashfood is an app that allows shoppers to buy this food at a discount and pick it up in store. Both Giant grocery stores in Springfield (on Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road) participate in this program. Once you download the app and choose your location, it shows you participating stores and a list of discounted food items. You make the purchase through the app and pick it up in the store. Because you pre-pay, the visit at the store is brief. You can also bring along your own bags to take it home. According to their website (Flashfood.com):
“The problem
When food ends up in the landfill, it gets covered by other garbage and rots in an anaerobic state - meaning it doesn’t get any oxygen while it decomposes. This creates methane gas, which is a leading cause of greenhouse gases that are making a noticeable gaping hole in the ozone layer and significantly contributing to climate change.
Grocery stores are left with a surplus of food items that are reaching their best before date on a daily basis. The timing of when food is deemed unsellable is based on store policy; it typically ranges from a few days to 1-2 weeks.
Diversion efforts
Grocery retailers have taken steps to divert potential food waste through improving procurement and operating procedures as well as shortening supply chains to keep food fresher, longer. Retailers also partner with food banks, food recovery and rescue agencies.
With all their efforts, grocery retailers are still left with a significant amount of food which typically gets sent to the landfill.
The solution
By selling this food at 50% off the retail price through Flashfood, grocers are able to recover costs (i.e.: reduce shrink), and significantly reduce their carbon footprint.
Consumers are able to take advantage of healthier food items like produce, meat and prepared meals that they would ordinarily deem too expensive. It's a #winwinwin for all!”
Photo credit: Sharon Hahn Darlin, Flickr
“The problem
When food ends up in the landfill, it gets covered by other garbage and rots in an anaerobic state - meaning it doesn’t get any oxygen while it decomposes. This creates methane gas, which is a leading cause of greenhouse gases that are making a noticeable gaping hole in the ozone layer and significantly contributing to climate change.
Grocery stores are left with a surplus of food items that are reaching their best before date on a daily basis. The timing of when food is deemed unsellable is based on store policy; it typically ranges from a few days to 1-2 weeks.
Diversion efforts
Grocery retailers have taken steps to divert potential food waste through improving procurement and operating procedures as well as shortening supply chains to keep food fresher, longer. Retailers also partner with food banks, food recovery and rescue agencies.
With all their efforts, grocery retailers are still left with a significant amount of food which typically gets sent to the landfill.
The solution
By selling this food at 50% off the retail price through Flashfood, grocers are able to recover costs (i.e.: reduce shrink), and significantly reduce their carbon footprint.
Consumers are able to take advantage of healthier food items like produce, meat and prepared meals that they would ordinarily deem too expensive. It's a #winwinwin for all!”
Photo credit: Sharon Hahn Darlin, Flickr
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