New Kiwi app looks to reduce food waste

A new app designed to reduce food waste, known as Foodprint, is set to launch in Auckland this Autumn with plans to expand nationwide.

'Foodprint' is a term used to describe the environmental impact or carbon footprint of food. The app, which connects people to food retailers with surplus food, enables users to reduce their 'foodprint' through buying discounted food before it's disposed of.

The app will include a number of cafes and restaurants in New Zealand's biggest city. Users will be able to follow their favourite spots, including filtering options based on dietary preferences, price and proximity, and receive notifications when food is 'ready to rescue'.

Updated every day, food providers share via the app what food will be thrown out and is available to purchase at 50% the normal price. Once the order has been made and paid for, all via the app, users are able to collect food directly from the supplier.

Foodprint founder Michal Garvey says, "In New Zealand, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets throw out 47,678 tonnes of food annually. That's a huge amount of waste and it's damaging to the environment. The app provides a practical, easy-to-use solution that is appealing to users and eateries we partner with, allowing both to reduce their foodprint.

Garvey says this fact is what prompted her to develop the Foodprint app.

She says, "We all have a part to play in making better choices to reduce our environmental impact and technology can help us with that. Our aim is to be better for our world, one meal at a time.

"Having always been a passionate foodie, I was drawn to work for a food start-up in London. There, I became interested in the role that technology now plays in the way we source, purchase and consume food. By adding my desire to live more sustainably into the equation, I came up with Foodprint," says Garvey.

Cafes and restaurants Mexico, Ripe Deli, -Sushi and Little Bird Organics have already partnered with Foodprint and will be available via the app.

Foodprint is designed to provide a platform for eateries interested in food sustainability and new customers, and users who are conscious consumers including young professionals, working parents, students and those who lead busy lifestyles but still want to invest in sustainability.

The app was developed by 7 Glyphs, an agency specialising in mobile and web applications. It's currently available via the Apple App and Google Play stores.