Sponsored By

Hy-Vee tests grocery shopping app to reduce food waste

Flashfood serves up discounts on near-expiring products

Russell Redman

February 2, 2019

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

Hy-Vee Inc. has begun piloting a mobile shopping app that helps grocery retailers cut back on food waste.

Called Flashfood, and developed by a Toronto company of the same name, the app enables consumers to browse and buy food items nearing their “best before” date at “significantly reduced” prices, Hy-Vee said Friday.

Flashfood_refrigerator.pngThe West Des Moines, Iowa-based grocer said the Flashfood App pilot is now under way in Wisconsin at both of its Madison locations and its store in Fitchburg. 

“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,” Jessica Ringena, vice president of innovation and business development the supermarket chain, said in a statement. “This partnership with Flashfood is just one more way we can further increase our sustainability efforts.”

To use Flashfood, customers download the free app (available in iOS and Android versions) and then start shopping deals on items such as meat, dairy, bread and snacks. Purchases are then made directly from their smartphone and picked up at any time from the Flashfood Zone shelves or refrigerators in the store.

The program gives consumers a way to lower their grocery bill and help the environment by reducing unnecessary food waste, according to Flashfood.

Related:Hy-Vee heightens responsible sourcing in seafood

“We’re thrilled Hy-Vee has chosen to participate in reducing their food waste through the Flashfood platform,” said Josh Domingues, founder and CEO of Flashfood, which launched in 2016. “They have a brand synonymous with innovation, and we are excited to offer their products from their Madison and Fitchburg locations to our community.”

Hy-Vee marks the first U.S. supermarket chain to use Flashfood. Besides the three Hy-Vee stores, the app is currently available at three Loblaw Cos. grocery stores in Ontario: two Real Canadian Superstores (in London and Oakville) and one No Frills store (in London).

Thus far, Flashfood has partnered with five grocery retailers — including pilots with Target Corp. (at two stores in St. Cloud and one in Monticello, Minn.) and with Canadian chains Farm Boy and Longo’s — to divert more than 100,000 units of food. The company said it expects to make its app available through more U.S. stores over the next year.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like