Retailer SpartanNash and technology company Flashfood have reportedly saved one million pounds of food waste from grocers over three years.
SpartanNash introduced Flashfood, an app for shoppers to buy discounted grocery items nearing their best-by date, in Michigan and Indiana through a pilot programme with Family Fare and Martin's Super Markets in 2020.
The partnership expanded last year with the addition of 44 Family Fare and VG's Grocery stores in Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska. Shoppers can make purchases of fresh and centre store items directly in the app and then pick up their order from the designated "Flashfood Zone" within participating stores.
This has reportedly saved families in these states $1.9m on buying groceries since 2020.
Some products are wasted more than others, such as milk. A recent study conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University suggests that up to 50% of consumers discard perfectly good milk solely based on the date label on the carton.
Reducing such food waste and providing affordable access to nutrition are key elements of SpartanNash's environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy.
SpartanNash senior vice-president and CMO Amy McClellan commented: "This solution has made a difference in preventing food waste while helping families save on imperfect produce and other products that might otherwise end up in landfills."
Flashfood head of impact Brody Slacer added: "Partnerships with mission-aligned grocers like SpartanNash play a vital role in addressing the connected problems of food waste and food insecurity."
