Food

Saving Money & The Planet: A Chat With Flashfood’s Esther Cohn

December 19, 2024

With holiday grocery bills climbing and food prices hitting record highs, Canadians are on the lookout for smart ways to save without compromising quality or tradition. Enter Flashfood, the app that’s making it easier than ever to enjoy holiday feasts on a budget while tackling food waste. Head of Communications & Public Affairs, Esther Cohn, shares how Flashfood is transforming the way Canadians shop—helping families save big, reduce waste, and make sustainable choices. From $5 produce boxes to festive staples like meat and dairy, Flashfood is your go-to for affordable and eco-friendly holiday shopping. —Noa Nichol

What inspired the creation of Flashfood, and how has it grown to become a go-to app for budget-conscious shoppers?

Flashfood was founded with the singular purpose to reduce food waste in grocery stores. As we grew and people started using Flashfood, what we heard was that Flashfood was a way for them to affordably feed their families fresh, nutritious food. For most people, the food waste reduction piece is nice but not why they love the app. 

With holiday meals being such an important tradition, how can Flashfood help families maintain quality while staying within their budgets?

Flashfood offers families a simple way to save without compromising on quality. With the Flashfood app, you can purchase fresh produce, meat, dairy, and bakery items at up to 50% off at your local grocery store, helping you save money on the same delicious, festive meals you’re used to.

One of our most popular offerings is the Produce Box, a 10lb mix of fresh fruits and vegetables for just $5—a great way to stock up on the essentials for holiday cooking.

What are some of the most popular holiday staples available through Flashfood, and how do the savings compare to regular grocery shopping?

Flashfood offers a variety of grocery staples. The most popular items on Flashfood tend to be produce, meat and dairy, and this stays consistent throughout the year, including the holiday season. We do see some specific seasonal favorites pop up during the holidays. For example, in December, eggnog pops into the top 10 best selling items. In the last two weeks alone, more than 2 thousand cartons of eggnog have been purchased on Flashfood. 

On average, items on Flashfood are priced at 50% off their regular retail price, essentially cutting grocery bills in half. 

Flashfood also addresses sustainability by reducing food waste. Can you share the environmental impact the app has achieved so far?

On average, more than 50 million tonnes of food is wasted every year in Canada. By selling items at really affordable prices, Flashfood helps to reduce the amount of food grocery stores are throwing away. Since founding, Flashfood has diverted more than 125 million pounds of food from landfills. 

What tips do you have for new users looking to maximize their savings and make the most of the app during the holiday season?

The best way to maximize savings and find your favourite items is to make Flashfood part of your daily routine. New items are added to Flashfood every day, usually in the mornings, so checking the app regularly ensures you don’t miss out on high-demand items.

Another tip is to plan ahead—look for ingredients you need for holiday recipes and stock up when you find them at a great price. Pairing Flashfood with your regular shopping can help you stretch your budget even further, especially when preparing for larger meals or hosting.

Keep an eye out for the Produce Boxes, which are excellent deals on fresh fruits and vegetables. Each one is unique so be sure to check the photo to find one that is most exciting! Some are winter veggie-heavy and are perfect for soups or holiday sides, and some are fruit-forward and are perfect for smoothies!

How does Flashfood ensure that the food offered on the app meets safety and quality standards, especially during the busy holiday period?

The food sold on Flashfood is the exact same food sold in a grocery store. The retailers maintain the inventory available on Flashfood and ensure it meets their store’s quality standards. 

Looking ahead, what’s next for Flashfood in terms of expansion, partnerships, or new features to help Canadians save and live more sustainably?

We’re focused on adding more stores to our platform so there are even more places for shoppers to use Flashfood. We’ve got some great new partnerships lined up that will be announced throughout 2025! We’ll also be launching new app features to make it easier to shop and find great deals.

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