SpartanNash expands Flashfood partnership to reduce food waste

Wholesaler and retailer SpartanNash is expanding its partnership with food waste reduction company Flashfood to 44 Family Fare and VG’s Grocery stores throughout Michigan, Iowa and Nebraska, the company announced Tuesday.

The Flashfood app enables shoppers to search deals on fresh items such as meat, produce boxes, dairy and bakery items, as well as center store foods that are nearing their best-by dates. Discounted purchases are made directly through the app, then guests pick up their order from the “Flashfood zone” located inside their participating SpartanNash store.

SpartanNash was the first company to introduce Flashfood in Michigan and Indiana through its pilot program at Family Fare and Martin's Super Markets. The latest expansion brings the first-ever Flashfood locations to stores in Nebraska and Iowa. More than 40,000 guests at SpartanNash company-owned stores currently use the Flashfood app and in less than two years, the initiative has enabled over 150,000 affordable meals for families, diverting 180,000 pounds of food from landfills.

“We’re delighted to create food solutions for the communities and families we serve while keeping many food products near the end of their shelf life out of landfills,” said SpartanNash senior vice president and chief marketing officer Amy McClellan. “To lower shoppers’ grocery bills at a time when many are struggling with inflation costs, while also saving nutritious food from going to waste, is a win-win in our book.”

Related:The Giant Company goes chainwide with Flashfood

More than 40,000 customers at SpartanNash company-owned stores currently use the Flashfood app.

The expanded partnership with Flashfood supports SpartanNash's mission to deliver the ingredients for a better life, according to the Byron Center, Mich.-based company. Additionally, reducing food waste and providing affordable access to nutrition are key focus areas within the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy. 

SpartanNash owns 145 supermarkets, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, Martin's Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG's Grocery and Dan's Supermarket.

"Food waste that ends up in landfill is a major contributor to climate change. This expansion allows us to tackle that problem, while also feeding families more affordably," said Flashfood’s founder and CEO Josh Domingues. “We commend SpartanNash for its commitment to sustainability and look forward to serving these new communities together.” 

Other North American grocery retailers partnering with Flashfood include Ahold Delhaize USA (Stop & Shop, Giant Food, Giant/Martin’s), Wakefern Food Corp. (Price Rite Marketplace), Tops Friendly Markets, Meijer, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, and Loblaw Cos. (Loblaw’s, Real Canadian Superstore, NoFrills, Maxi, Zehrs, Dominion, Independent, Provigo and Wholesale Club banners).

Related:Price Rite kicks off pilot of Flashfood food waste reduction app