BYRON CENTER, Mich. — Five Family Fare stores in West Michigan have begun using the Flashfood app. The partnership reduces food waste, and lets the customer purchase discount groceries.
"I'm sure everyone has gone to their refrigerator," said Matthew Bennett, Director of retail consumer innovation for Family Fare, "and said, 'oh I missed the date on that, gotta throw it out.' So I think every store has product that nears a best buy date. This gives us one more opportunity to sell that product before it goes out of date and ends up going into a landfill or trash."
Flashfood has been in the Family Fare stores for 10 days. Those locations include the stores on Lake Michigan Dr in Grand Rapids, on Leonard St in Grand Rapids, on E Fulton St in Grand Rapids, on Kalamazoo Ave SE in Kentwood, and on 84th St SW in Byron Center.
Bennett says he's seen quite a few people use it already.
Inside the store, there is a large refrigerator and shelving unit by the front door, marked with the Flashfood logos. That's where someone would pick up their purchased items.
The app lets someone scroll through available items at a chosen location, and purchase it right in the app. Items are up to 50% off.
The items for sale are not expired, but they are within a couple days of becoming expired.
"I think it aligns with the climate of the day," said Bennett, "We care about what’s happening to the planet, and I think these kinds of things will continue to be part of that socially conscious future."
Meijer has also announced working with Flashfood. It's set to be in stores across Michigan by the end of the year.
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