SpartanNash cuts food waste, rings up customer savings with Flashfood

SpartanNash has reached a milestone in its use of the Flashfood food waste reduction app.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based grocery distributor said Wednesday that it has diverted more than 1 million pounds of food waste from landfills in over three years under the program, as well as saved consumers $1.9 million on groceries.

Flashfood gives shoppers access to exclusive deals on products—including meat, produce, seafood, dairy, deli and bakery—that are nearing their best-by date. In turn, the significantly reduced prices—up to 50% off, Flashfood reported—drive purchases of food that otherwise would go to the a grocer’s waste stream.

SpartanNash introduced Flashfood in Michigan and Indiana via a pilot in selected locations of its Family Fare and Martin’s Super Markets chains in 2020. The partnership was expanded last year another 44 Family Fare and VG’s Grocery stores in Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska.

“At SpartanNash, we're focused on innovative ways to meet shopper needs," said SpartanNash Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Amy McClellan. "This solution has made a tremendous difference in preventing food waste while helping families save on imperfect produce and other products that might otherwise end up in landfills."

The Flashfood app allows grocery customers to browse deals at participating stores on foods that are approaching expiration, including center-store and snack items as well as perishables. Purchases are made directly through the app, and shoppers pick up their order on the same day from the designated “Flashfood zone” area inside the store. Items purchased are stored in a refrigerator or on a storage rack inside the supermarket until they’re collected by customers.

SpartanNash noted that reducing food waste and providing affordable access to nutrition are linchpins of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy. Currently, the company operates 144 corporate-owned supermarkets in Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin, primarily under the Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market banners.

“Partnerships with mission-aligned grocers like SpartanNash play a vital role in addressing the connected problems of food waste and food insecurity,” commented Brody Slacer, head of impact at Toronto-based Flashfood. “We sincerely appreciate the company’s early commitment to our alliance and the hard work of their team members that have made it all possible.”

Other U.S. and Canadian grocery chains that participate in the Flashfood program include Vallarta Supermarkets, Stop & Shop, The Giant Company, Giant Food, Giant Eagle, Tops Friendly Markets, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Wakefern Food Corp. and Loblaw Cos.