Flashfood releases state of food waste report

Flashfood's newly released impact report looks at the role of food waste in the climate crisis.
Flashfood's newly released impact report looks at the role of food waste in the climate crisis.
(Photo courtesy of Flashfood)

Flashfood is set to release its first annual impact report, "The State of Food Waste," at the ReFED 2023 Food Waste Solutions Summit in St. Louis on May 16. 

The report looks at the role of food waste in the current climate crisis and how reducing waste at the retail level has the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions, slow climate change and address the connected problems of hunger and food insecurity, according to a release.

Exploring consumer perception is also a key component of the report, as the company aims to emphasize not just the value of the climate impact, but the consumer appetite for Flashfood.

New findings from a 2023 survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Flashfood demonstrate a clear desire for change, says the company. The majority of adult grocery shoppers in the U.S. are struggling with the cost of healthy eating, and they view the reduction of food waste as an important priority. 

Fielded April 20-24, 2023, among 2,018 U.S. adults aged 18 or older, the survey found:

  • Nearly 9 in 10 Americans (88%) say managing food waste is important to them.
  • The majority of Americans (68%) agree that the rising cost of food is making healthy eating more difficult for them.
  • Just over 3 in 4 Americans (77%) are concerned about the environmental impact of food waste (e.g., on land, water, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity).
  • Three-quarters of Americans (75%) believe that reducing food waste is important for solving climate change.

“At Flashfood, we believe everyone deserves to eat healthy, affordable food and to live on a thriving planet. Food waste stands in the way of both,” Josh Domingues, founder and CEO of Flashfood, said in the release. “That’s why we’re setting our sights on massive expansion this year: to be available in more places and at more stores with the goal of saving our consumers money on groceries and rescuing millions more pounds of food from landfills.” 

Related: Flashfood’s Brody Slacer to keynote Sustainable Produce Summit

The report also highlights the company’s milestones and its retail partners — “the heroes on the food waste journey, and the key to future growth.” 

“We wanted this report to reflect the incredible impact of our retail partners,” Flashfood President and COO Nicholas Bertram said in the release. “These exceptional operators understand the fundamental link between hunger and waste. They see the opportunity that this massive problem has created, which is why they’ll be the ones to help solve it — and win.” 

Flashfood says its The State of Food Waste report is intended as a one-stop shop for all the things a reader needs to know about the company and the importance of eliminating food waste.

Flashfood is a technology company working to eliminate retail food waste by connecting consumers with discounted food nearing its best-by date. The app-based marketplace is helping families across America access nutritious food at affordable prices, while reducing the volume of food retailers send to landfills. Flashfood is a remote-first company currently partnered with more than 1,700 stores across North America.

Related: The Giant Co. and Flashfood rescue 6M pounds of food from landfills

Related: Tops expands Flashfood program, on track to hit 1M pounds of food rescued

 

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