People will have the opportunity to purchase unsold, surplus food from retailers across Galway city thanks to an app created by Mayo entrepreneur Eoin Heverin.
The Foodie Save app, launched in Galway city this week, allows people to purchase perfectly good, unsold food from retailers at a discounted rate of up to 70%.
Described as ‘Just Eat for surplus food’, the mobile app gives people choices from local food suppliers during the time window leading up to closing time.
The app is free to download and a range of Galway businesses on board, including Mortons of Galway, The Gourmet Offensive, Casey’s Londis, Meehan Spar stores, Cookes Restaurant, Freshii Galway, Mocha Beans and Kelleher XL.
Founder Eoin Heverin said that even more stores will be adding in the coming weeks.
“Our current food retail partners love the simplicity of the Foodie Save model and we are proud to have some fantastic brands on board, however it’s the reaction from members of the public that have blown us away,” he said.
“They love the fact that they can get great quality food at fantastic prices while helping the environment and local businesses at the same time – it’s a win, win win win!”
How does it work?
Consumers download the Foodie Save app for free and browse local food businesses in the city offering quality food at discounted prices.
“The ordering process is really simple, click – swipe – collect,” explained Eoin.
“Click to buy your order, go to the store and Swipe your phone in front of a staff member and collect your delicious food.”
Converting surplus food into cash is also very beneficial to businesses, as they have already paid for supplies, labour, and other production costs.
Businesses across the city are signing up to Foodie Save to recover this loss through selling their surplus food, and it also leads to less waste and lower disposal costs.
But Eoin says that perhaps the biggest win of all is the benefit to the environment.
“Consider all these steps in the food chain – sowing, growing, harvesting, cleaning, supplying, preparing, cooking, and presenting good food,” he said. “In the 21st century we simply cannot continue to waste any of this precious resource.”
Colm Mulroy of Londis Castlebar said that Foodie App has reduced food waste costs and that the extra income is very welcome.
“It attracted new customers, and 9 out of 10 are buying groceries when getting their Foodie Save orders. One lady has purchased over 50 times between our two Londis stores,” said Colm.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recognised the strategic value of the Foodie Save platform and supported it with €130,000 funding.
“Galway has a proud and well-deserved reputation of being the culinary capital of Ireland,” added Eoin.
“We are delighted to introduce the Foodie Save service to food businesses and consumers in the city.”
