Ending the cycle of
food waste - start to finish. Welcome to Eightysix.
What is Eightysix?
Eightysix is a marketplace app for any foodservice industry business to buy and sell surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. They can buy and sell to one another and also sell to consumers. Doing this enables these companies to make money while preventing food waste.
The COVID shutdown has revealed many flaws, one of them being a restaurant’s ability to sell uncooked food straight to the patron. The average lifespan of a restaurant is five years, and by some estimates, up to 90 percent of new ones fail within the first year. If they are using this app, they could potentially help reduce restaurant turnover. If they are using it successfully, they could increase their revenue, create more jobs, pay more people, and help mend the economy.
I noticed the opportunity, came up with the concept, and took the initiative of designing and prototyping the app in order to submit it to Y Combinator for seed funding.
Users
Buyers/Sellers.
Buy in bulk and have some leftover? Did your restaurant have a slow week? Eigthysix allows those in these scenarios and more to sell their excess food. They can also see what other businesses are selling to create more meal specials, experiment with different foods, and develop relationships with other sellers in their areas. Those that would be eligible to sell include restaurants, bars/breweries, cafes, buffets, food trucks, cafeterias (offices, schools, colleges, etc.), catering, banquet halls, hotels, hospitals, fairs, and festivals.
Buyers.
Buyers can expect food at discounted prices, from their favorite local businesses. Eigthysix can help those looking for a specific ingredient, anyone wanting to experiment with new food, want bulk cheap for a party, or help a family looking to save money. Students in college would be able to buy cheap food from cafeterias. Those in food deserts would be able to shop at a local business for what they need.
Food Waste in the US.
The United States is the global leader in food waste, with Americans discarding nearly 40 million tons of food every year. That’s 80 billion pounds of food and equates to more than $161 billion, approximately 219 pounds of waste per person and 30-40 percent of the US food supply.
US restaurants generate an estimated 22 to 33 billion pounds of food waste each year. Institutions — including schools, hotels and hospitals — generate an additional 7 to 11 billion pounds per year. Approximately 4 to 10 percent of food purchased by restaurants is wasted before reaching the consumer.
With the restaurant industry shedding $162 billion annually in food waste costs according to the USDA and 42 million Americans coping with food insecurity according to the USDA and Feeding America, something isn’t working.
With the restaurant industry shedding $162 billion annually in food waste costs according to the USDA and 42 million Americans coping with food insecurity according to the USDA and Feeding America, something isn’t working.
Make an Offer.
If something is out of your price range you can still send an offer to the seller.
Share Your Products.
Promote your products across multiple platforms to ensure your food finds it’s way to a new home.