Exciting New Food Waste Prevention App Launches in Charleston
In the charming city of Charleston, South Carolina, a new app is setting up to make a delicious difference! The app, called Goodie Bag, aims to connect hungry locals with discounted food from local restaurants, all while tackling the serious issue of food waste. Launching this Friday, the app promises to be a game-changer for both restaurant owners and residents looking for a great meal at a bargain price.
A Personal Mission
The brainchild behind this innovative app is Eddy Connors, the CEO and co-founder of Goodie Bag. Connors shared that the idea sprouted from his own experiences. “Goodie Bag initially started when my former college roommate and I, we were just getting a little tired with how expensive food is becoming here in the United States. At the same time, we had like a background working in restaurants and knowing that good food oftentimes just goes to waste, not because it’s not good and edible, but because it just couldn’t find a mouth in time,” he explained.
This striking realization is what motivated Connors and his team to develop a platform that allows restaurants to sell their unsold meals at a discount rather than throwing them away. This is particularly important, as many locally-owned restaurants often end up with leftover food that didn’t sell throughout the day or week.
A Win-Win for Everyone
The beauty of Goodie Bag is its structure; it is completely free for restaurants to use. “It’s not a hidden secret that margins are slim in this industry. The restaurant industry is tough; ask any operator. It’s a tough business to be able to stay profiting year after year. If we can do anything to help them increase their bottom line and reach new customers, it helps in the long run,” Connors shared.
One local restaurant that is thrilled to join the platform is Red’s Ice House. Manager Skipper Kress expressed his enthusiasm for the app’s potential to reduce wasted food and boost revenue. “A big problem in the restaurant business is us losing revenue on food that people either call in and don’t want or decide that they would like something different that we can’t resell inside the restaurant. For us, you know, it’s all revenue. It’s all money going out of the restaurant,” Kress added. “With Goodie Bag, we can get rid of some of that food in a better way that actually goes to somebody who wants that food. It was a no-brainer for us to kind of jump on board and try it.”
How It Works
So how does Goodie Bag work? Users can simply set their location within the app. When a local restaurant has a “goodie bag” available, a notification will be sent out saying, “Hey, Red’s Ice House has a goodie bag. Come pick it up before 8 pm tonight.” The first person to purchase the deal in the app can then head over and grab their delicious meal at a reduced price! Connors encourages users to keep their notifications on so they can be among the first to hear about these delicious opportunities.
Spreading the Word
Goodie Bag isn’t just a local creation. It started in Boulder, Colorado, and has since expanded to about a dozen cities across the U.S., including Charlotte. When looking for new markets, Connors is particularly interested in areas with a strong presence of locally-owned establishments. “Charleston stands out because the food scene is awesome, and it’s mostly locally owned. It’s hard to find a national brand that you recognize here, and I love that!” Connors stated enthusiastically.
With a small but dedicated team of four, Connors is grateful for the local restaurants that have already signed on to participate. As the launch date approaches, there’s palpable excitement in the air. The hope is that many local residents will embrace this opportunity to save money while enjoying quality food.
Food for Thought
Goodie Bag brings an innovative and practical solution to the forefront, one that could not only help local businesses but also reduce the shocking amount of food waste generated every day. As Charleston gears up for this exciting launch, locals can look forward to enjoying great meals while making a positive impact on their community.
