“With everyone feeling the pinch from the cost of living, there is simply no good reason for good food to go to waste.”
She said Foodprint allowed customers to save on food and support local businesses.
“Eateries retain value in products that may previously have ended up in the bin.
“It’s a win for consumers, businesses and the planet.”
She said the idea came to her when she worked in hospitality, and was dismayed about food being thrown out.
The app features a mix of eateries, including Bay Espresso, Rosina Eatery, Chantal Shop, Long Island Delicatessen, Cornucopia Organics, Milk & Honey, Cineverse Cinema & Cafe, Tumeke Don and Ahuriri Cafe.
Eight Four Squares have also joined, offering everything from baked goods to meat, curry sauce and leftover Easter eggs.
“Hawke’s Bay has such an amazing food scene from the growers to the vineyards, to the markets and cafes, and it’s just been an area that has been in such high demand for us.”
Food is purchased through the app and collected from the eatery on the same day.
“We are rescuing food that is still totally edible, and it might end up on the app from overproduction.”
Customers can opt to receive notifications from local eateries when food becomes available.
The app tracks how much money, food and emissions customers have saved with every order.
Garvey said discounts start from 30% off the original price, and can go up to 70–90% off.
“The food sells quickly, and what’s available changes daily to suit the differing needs of each eatery.”
She said she had seen a spike in app usage on rainy days and when roadworks were being done near a business.
Garvey said it was an effective way to cut emissions.
“When food ends up in landfills, it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
“Food waste is estimated to contribute up to 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
“While tackling climate change can feel daunting, reducing food waste is a practical action people can take every day.”
Owner of Hastings’ Rosina Eatery Jesse Neilson was one of the first businesses to join Foodprint.
“Reducing food waste is a big priority for us, both from a sustainability and cost perspective.
“It’s a great way to connect with our local community while making better use of what we already produce.”
His sentiments are shared by another early adopter, Kristy Jackson, director of Long Island Delicatessen.
“We don’t have a lot of food waste. It’s better if someone can still enjoy our goods for a fraction of the retail cost.”
Eateries interested in selling through the platform can get in touch at foodprint.app, and it is free for them to join.
Customers can download the free app by searching for Foodprint in the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.
