LatamList – A new Mexican startup, Cheaf, is actively reducing food waste from restaurants. The app enables restaurants to sell food that would otherwise go to waste at the end of the day.
Food waste in Latin America is estimated to be approximately 231 million kilos each year. The startup estimates that it has so far salvaged some 1200 kilos of unwanted food.
Kim Durand, CEO and founder of Cheaf, started the company with community in mind. The aim is for Cheaf to eventually work together with food banks in Mexico to reduce food waste and help those who need it most in the community.
“We want to reach the part of Mexico and Latin America where there is a lot of food waste with the aim of expanding geographically, not only to restaurants but also to hotels or supermarkets where there is potential waste,” said Durand.
On the app, restaurants list food that they have been unable to sell during the day at a reduced price. Customers can view available offers from restaurants on the app, reserve them, pay, and then collect. The restaurants are also encouraging customers to bring containers to collect the food, and thus further reduce environmental impact.
“In the long term, the idea is that the Cheaf platform will allow restaurants to manage their stock better and become more efficient so that there won’t be any need for a platform such as Cheaf as there won’t be any surplus food left to sell,” Durand continued.
In only two months, the app has attracted more than 250 customers and some of Mexico’s major restaurants.
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