Hy-Vee, West Des Moines, Iowa, launched Flashfood, what is said to be the first and only mobile app that partners with grocers to help reduce food waste by allowing shoppers to browse and purchase food items approaching their “best before” date at significantly reduced prices. The Flashfood app will be available at both Madison, Wis., Hy-Vee locations as well as the Fitchburg, Wis., Hy-Vee store.

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

“At Hy-Vee, we know it’s important that we do our part as grocers to reduce food waste,” says Jessica Ringena, vice president of innovation and business development of Hy-Vee. “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. This partnership with Flashfood is just one more way we can further increase our sustainability efforts.”

Through the partnership, Hy-Vee customers can now purchase high-quality food items at a reduced price. By downloading the Flashfood App, customers can browse through available deals on items like meat, dairy and more. Product purchases are then made directly from the customer’s phone and picked up from the Flashfood zone in the grocery store.