The Flashfood app allows shoppers save up to 50 per cent off everyday essentials that are nearing their best-by date or where the store has excess inventory, including meats, dairy, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, and prepared foods. ContributedArticle contentDid you know there is a way to save money on groceries that also reduces the amount of food going to landfills? In fact, in Atlantic Canada last year, close to one million pounds of food was diverted while Atlantic Canadians saved $2.5 million on their grocery bills.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentNot only is food wastage a big problem, but so is the rising cost of living. Canadians are always looking for more ways to save money.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentAccording to John Lake, who is based in Halifax and is vice president of operations for the Real Atlantic Superstore, 46.5 per cent of all food in Canada is wasted. This figure comes from a recent report by Second Harvest, a Canadian not-for-profit organization that focuses on food rescue and redistribution.Article contentLake says they define food wastage in terms of potential food waste. This could mean a product that is nearing its best-by date, a banana that is already ripe, or a box of clementines where one is no longer edible, but the rest are perfectly fine, he explains.Article content“The more staggering statistic is that 41.7 per cent of this food could be redirected to support Canadians, and that’s what we’re trying to do at our stores across Canada,” says Lake.Article contentLoblaws is working to send zero food to landfill by 2030 and is making meaningful progress, says Lake. To do so, there are now many food reclamation programs in the stores, including one known as Flashfood.Article contentArticle content Just by using Flashfood, seen here at the Joseph Howe Superstore in Halifax, Atlantic Canadians saved $2.5 million in 2024 by shopping through the Flashfood App and diverted 928,000 pounds of potential food waste from landfill. ContributedArticle contentArticle contentUsing the Flashfood AppArticle contentThe Flashfood app allows shoppers to save up to 50 per cent off everyday essentials that are nearing their best-by date or where the store has excess inventory, including meats, dairy, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, and prepared foods, says Lake.Article contentPurchases are made directly through the app, and customers simply pick up their order from the Flashfood zone at their local Superstore.Article contentTo take advantage of the Flashfood program, download the app, select your location and start shopping, says Lake. Products are ready and available for pick up as soon as the transaction via the app is complete.
How to reduce food waste and save on grocery bills
