REGINA–Food waste is a big problem. Some 46 percent of food produced in Canada, ends up in a landfill instead of someone’s stomach.
Mostly, its food that has passed its “best before date” and wasn’t sold.
Working with grocery giant Loblaw’s, the app “FlashFood” is a way for people to get big discounts on food, and prevent this food from ending up in already over crowded landfills.
The program works like this: Food nearing its “best before date” is put up for sale on the app with a minimum 50 percent discount on the price. Shoppers can browse the products on the app, buy them, and pick them up in store.
Loblaw’s says the app has prevented about 1.3 million pounds of food from going into the landfill, while at the same time saving shoppers over 3.5 million dollars.
Ron Ermantraut is the manager of the Real Canadian Superstore in Rochdale. “It’s product that comes from all aspects of the store; deli meat, seafood, bakery, dairy products”. He says “Its a great way for consumers to save on or grocery bill.”
Data from Loblaw’s and “FlashFood” indicates in 2024, consumers across the country saved 50 million in food costs, and prevented 8 million pounds of food from getting into the landfill.
You can learn more about the app at https://flashfood.com/
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly mentions Sobey’s teaming up with Flashfood. It has been corrected to Loblaws.
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