Hy-Vee once again is leading the industry

Hy-Vee Inc. has launched a mobile shopping app that helps cut back on food waste.

It is called Flashfood, the app enables consumers to find and buy food items nearing their expiration date at significantly reduced prices.  Purchases are made directly from shoppers’ smartphones and picked up at Flashfood Zone shelves or refrigerators in the store.

It’s a limited test for Hy-Vee at 3 stores – 2 in Madison and 1 in Fitchburg – both in Wisconsin.

 Jessica Ringena, vice president of innovation and business development said in a statement that “At Hy-Vee, we know it’s important that we do our part as grocers to reduce food waste. In 2018 alone, our food waste diversion programs at all our Hy-Vee stores have kept more than 25 million pounds of food waste out of landfills. This partnership with Flashfood is just one more way we can further increase our sustainability efforts.”

Hy-Vee is the first U.S. supermarket chain to use Flashfood. The app is also available in Canada at Farm Boy, Longo’s, three Loblaw stores, two Real Canadian Superstores and one No Frills store.