Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy launches platform-based end-of-day discount service for unsold food
Consumers will soon be able to browse listings of near-expiry or unsold food from bakeries, restaurants and other food stores and purchase them at discounted prices.
South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy said Sunday it will officially launch a smartphone app- and web-based unsold food end-of-day discount service starting Monday.
The service aims to reduce food waste by sharing inventory information on items at risk of being discarded and encouraging their sale before disposal.
The ministry has been preparing the service, under which participating stores share inventory data on unsold food through platforms — including online food delivery apps and dedicated discount apps and websites — so consumers can order and pick up the items.
Three major delivery platform operators — Woowa Brothers, Widae Sangsang and Coupang Inc — built dedicated end-of-day discount screens and related features within their existing apps, Baemin, Coupang Eats and Yogiyo, allowing partner stores to list and manage discounted products.
Dedicated discount apps such as Lucky Meal and Magu Market, along with web operators including Monandol Company and Eco Eats, have also stepped up efforts to expand participating stores through outreach and promotional campaigns.
Two bakery franchise headquarters — CJ Foodville and Paris Croissant — along with three industry associations, the Korea Confectionery and Bakery Association, the Korea Food Service Industry Association and the Korea Convenience Store Industry Association, have been recruiting member stores and providing guidance on how to join the service and register products.
Participating stores are expected to benefit from reduced disposal costs and additional revenue by conveniently sharing unsold inventory with consumers. Shoppers will be able to check nearby discount listings on their smartphones and buy food at lower prices.
The service is also expected to help cut the roughly 5 million tons of food waste generated nationwide each year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"This end-of-day discount service will mark an important turning point in spreading food discount culture," said Kim Go-eung, director general of the ministry's Resource Circulation Bureau. "We will continue to support efforts to make end-of-day discounts an eco-friendly norm in people's daily lives."
thlee@heraldcorp.com
