According to statistics from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), around 40% of the world's food is wasted without being consumed, leading to an annual cost of $1 trillion. At the same time, over 800 million people worldwide face hunger. The documentary "Wasted! The Story of Food Waste" highlights that approximately 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted annually, reflecting the severity of unequal resource distribution.
To address the issue of food waste, in addition to raising awareness, several practical solutions have emerged. "Surplus Food Apps" are one such concrete initiative.
"Surplus Food Apps": Turning Leftover Food into Opportunities
In recent years, "Surplus Food Apps" have gained popularity abroad. Through these mobile applications, businesses sell unsold food at discounted prices, allowing consumers to purchase food at lower costs while reducing waste, creating a win-win scenario.
While similar apps have been introduced in Taiwan, their usage remains limited. According to DailyView Internet Thermometer, many popular "Surplus Food Apps" are available both locally and internationally. In countries with higher living costs, such as those in Europe and North America, travelers can use these platforms to save on travel expenses while contributing to the reduction of food waste.
(From left) Tasteme, Too Good To Go, Flashfood (Photo/Google Play)
Featured Apps:
★ Tasteme – Food-Saving & Fresh Tasting App (Taiwan)
Tasteme focuses on offering discounted meals. Users must register as members, purchase "T-Coins" for ordering, and verify their identity through their mobile numbers. Discounts can go as low as 50% off the original price.
★ ResQ Club (Finland)
Founded in 2015 in Helsinki, Finland, ResQ Club now operates in Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Poland, serving over 10,000 users. The platform allows users to purchase surplus food from nearby restaurants and cafes, saving approximately 110,000 portions of food monthly.
★ Too Good To Go (Denmark)
Established in 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Too Good To Go operates across Europe and North America, covering 17 countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, and Melbourne. With over 18 million users and partnerships with around 38,000 establishments, it offers "Surprise Bags," where users can buy meals valued at €15 for just €3 to €5.
★ Flashfood (Canada)
Founded in 2016 in Toronto, Canada, Flashfood collaborates with major supermarkets like Meijer to offer discounted food to around 5 million households. In 2023, the app reportedly reduced 1,600 kilograms of food waste and helped users save $93 million collectively.
★ Karma (Sweden)
Launched in 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden, Karma provides discounted surplus food from restaurants and shops. Operating in Sweden, France, and the UK, it currently has about 1.4 million users.
★ FoodForAll (USA)
Founded in 2016, FoodForAll primarily serves the New York and Boston areas. Users can upload "Surprise Bags" containing surplus food, priced at 20%-50% of the original cost, allowing them to enjoy restaurant meals at discounted rates.
★ Foody Bag (Australia)
Introduced in Perth, Australia, in 2021, Foody Bag has since expanded to Brisbane and Sydney. It partners with restaurants, supermarkets, and retailers, enabling users to purchase meals at one-third of the price. Users can personalize their search based on budget, business type, and dietary preferences.
As global interest in sustainable development continues to grow, reducing food waste is not only a social responsibility but also a new way for businesses to create opportunities and for consumers to save money. Leveraging technology to implement the "save food" concept is a trend worth monitoring for the future.
