Charleston Launches Goodie Bag App to Combat Food Waste and Offer Discounts on Surplus Meals

Welcome to Charleston’s Newest App: Goodie Bag!

Hey there, Charleston! If you’re looking for a way to enjoy delicious food while helping reduce waste, have we got some exciting news for you! The much-anticipated app, Goodie Bag, officially launched in our lovely city on September 6. This innovative platform is shaking things up by connecting hungry locals with restaurants that have delicious food leftover at the end of the day, all at a discounted price!

What’s the Scoop on Goodie Bag?

Picture this: It’s the end of the day, and your favorite restaurant is about to throw away perfectly good food. That’s where Goodie Bag steps in. This easy-to-use app allows restaurants to sell “goodie bags” filled with surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. Not only does this help tackle the shocking statistic that about 40% of food produced in the U.S. ends up in landfills, but it also offers customers a chance to grab a meal at a fraction of the cost.

How Did It All Begin?

The brainchildren behind Goodie Bag are Eddy Connors and Luke Siegert, who came up with the idea after graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder. You won’t believe it, but it was actually watching perfectly good pizza being thrown away that sparked their passion to make a difference. “I saw so many pizzas being dumped,” said Luke. “We thought, ‘There has to be a better way.’”

And that’s how Goodie Bag was born! After successful launches in Boulder and Charlotte, it was time for Charleston to join the table, and we couldn’t be happier!

Why It Matters

Did you know that over 600,000 tons of food waste is generated annually in South Carolina alone? Connors and Siegert are passionate about doing their part to change these staggering numbers. “It’s unfortunate how inefficient the system is right now,” Connors mentioned. Their mission is to not only help the environment but also support local businesses. Every purchase through Goodie Bag helps restaurants financially by reducing their waste!

A Win-Win for Everyone

The app has already partnered with more than a dozen local spots, from The Daily to Daddy’s Girls Bakery. Our favorite bagel shop, Holey City Bagels, even hopped on board while they were chatting with us!

Local chef and partner at Bodega, Alec Gropman, talks about how the app benefits restaurant owners: “With restaurant margins tighter than they have ever been, finding any opportunity to diminish food waste is not only positive for us as business owners but also crucial as humans,” he explained. Translated? Saving food is a win-win!

How to Get In On the Action

Getting started with Goodie Bag is super simple. Just download the app from the App Store or Google Play, and make sure you allow notifications for the best chance to snag some fabulous deals. Restaurants can easily upload surplus items, and Goodie Bag’s team is there to help managers every step of the way.

Competing for a Cause

Of course, with new ideas come some competition. Goodie Bag faces off against Too Good To Go, a globally known app that’s also focused on saving meals. However, Connors emphasizes the local approach of Goodie Bag: “We really view our opportunity as helping consumers connect to local restaurants.” This unique mission aims to strengthen our community and keep our local eateries thriving.

Your Chance to Make a Difference

If we can make smarter choices when it comes to food, we can save precious resources and combat the massive issue of food waste. By using Goodie Bag, not only do you get to enjoy delicious meals at a discount, but you’re also playing a part in creating a healthier planet.

So, Charleston, let’s embrace Goodie Bag and make those hunger pangs count while caring for our beautiful environment. Happy eating, and here’s to a fresher future!