Flashfood appoints Nicholas Bertram as new president and COO

Nicholas Bertram’s retail career began as a part-time grocery stocker. Fast forward to 2023 and the former Giant Co. president’s grocery retail resume is expanding further.

Flashfood, the digital marketplace that offers shoppers the opportunity to buy food that is heavily discounted and nearing its best-by date, has appointed Bertram as the company’s new president and COO, the company announced on Thursday.

“Nick brings an unprecedented level of first-hand leadership experience with some of the biggest names in the retail sector,” said Flashfood founder and CEO Josh Domingues, in a statement. “His vision and successes around sustainable retailing align perfectly with our company’s mission to reduce food that is wasted throughout the retail sector.

With more than 20 years of experience in retail, Bertram achieved sustainability, innovation and growth for companies such as Jewel-Osco, Walmart and, most recently, as president of The Giant Co., an Ahold Delhaize banner. During his tenure at The Giant Co., Bertram drove omnichannel growth in expanded markets and championed the company’s transformation toward zero waste.

 “Nick has seen how the level of waste experienced by grocers represents billions of dollars in lost revenue and understands the massive impact this also has on our planet,” Domingues said. “More importantly, he understands how this food could have helped families which is a shared passion he brings to Flashfood that will help fuel our next phase of growth.”

In his new role as president and COO, Bertram will look to increase Flashfood’s growth, working closely with Domingues and internal department leaders to tackle food insecurity and food waste. In addition to his role at Flashfood, Bertram serves on the advisory board for Divert Inc., and as an independent director at PECO.

“I have never been more excited about the collective impact the food industry, sustainability-minded investors and technology companies like Flashfood can have on our future,” said Bertram in a statement. “Josh and the rest of the board of directors have given me an amazing opportunity to join at this stage, with such a talented team and unique product. Together with its retail partners, Flashfood is already making huge inroads in reducing food waste while helping consumers save money – and now is the right time to accelerate this bold work.”

The food-waste reduction company, which has diverted over 65 million pounds of food from landfills, has saved shoppers more than $150 million on grocery bills, Flashfood said in a statement.

With a passion for sustainable retailing, Bertram understands this is not only important to the retailer, but to the consumer as well. 

“I have seen a growing desire by consumers for information about who they are buying from, not just what they are buying,” Bertram told WGB. “The retailers who choose to do good things for all stakeholders seem to have better performance than those who only focus on financial success. What I love about Flashfood is that it attacks the connected issues of food waste and food insecurity simultaneously; with the retail partner getting credit from customers and communities. So, it is very much a win-win-win.”

And when it comes to sustainable retailing, Bertram also understands that consumers are key to driving this success.

“I’m grateful for the work that FMI, USDA, and FDA have been doing to help update labeling and language for when food can safely be consumed,” he told WGB. “Over time this education will change American consumer habits much like it has in Europe, not only while shopping but more importantly once at home–where so very much is wasted. Consumers still have most of the power in solving this problem, which is why Flashfood has been so well received as a partner to retailers in raising awareness and changing habits.”

The company has expanded across Canada and the United States to include over 1,550 grocery stores such as Save a Lot, Food Lion, Stop & Shop and Meijer.

Using the Flashfood app, shoppers can select and purchase items nearing their best-by date and pick them up in-store. The app-based marketplace provides deals up to 50% off on items such as meats, dairy, seafood, fresh produce, baked goods and more.