Every good idea needs to be validated

It was 2019, a rainy August afternoon in Perth, when one of my colleagues at Apps People mentioned a concept he'd used in Europe, a platform selling end of day food stock. It sounded like something that was needed in Australia, so much food was going to waste.These were pre-pandemic times and like any entrepreneur, I knew it was important to validate the idea locally, so I wanted to organise a catch-up with a bakery industry professional.I reached out to Michael Forde, the then co-owner and co-founder of the very popular Mary Street Bakery. Through a telephone conversation it quickly became apparent that there was a lot of food waste happening at stores. And through more validation I also discovered that many bakeries didn't even want to talk about it. It was although it was swept under the carpet.Fortunately Michael was very upfront about it and that led me going with my instinct and believing it was an app worth building.In December 2019 I launched an incubator program for neurodiverse individuals interested in having their own startup. The incubator, named ProFound Incubator received matched funding from JTSI (Department of Jobs, Training, Science and Innovation) and I was able to bring 10 talented individuals through the program and many were able to secure jobs after completion. During the program we used the Foody Bag concept to involve some of the participants who didn't have their own startup ideas.One of the talents took a part-time role with Apps People to help test the Foody Bag app before launch.At the end of June 2021 we launched Foody Bag to the public and it very soon became a well-known app in the community, helping to fight food waste. Foody Bag has since received great publicity from ABC Radio Perth, ABC, Channel 9 News, 6PR, Triple M, PerthNow and The West Australian newspaper.So from a simple idea to a mobile app that took 6 solid months to build before launch, we are truly grateful. The public has come together to help ensure it has a permanent part in the community.

A simple conversation

How It Got Started

Foody Bag History

The best planet-saving feature ever, ever!

Since our launch we’ve saved over 20,000 Foody Bags from reaching landfill. We’ve been hugely successful in helping to reduce retailer food waste thanks to you, even if only in small town Perth, Western Australia.But how about consumer waste that you have at home, what can we all do to minimise that? Did you know that 1 out of every three shopping bags full of groceries goes to waste.Now we are launching a feature to allow you to pick-up food for absolutely free of charge from people in your neighbourhood. This feature can be used by anyone, no location restrictions, whether you live in Perth or Paraburdoo, Tokyo or Treviso.Why is this even a feature?We are all guilty of food waste at the consumer level and now Foody Bag allows people to post food items that they’d like to donate, right from their home. Saving food helps our environment and it may also help someone who hasn't always got the funds to pay for food.It only takes a couple of minutes to list good to eat food on the app.Could one of these be your reason?<ul><li>You’re going away on holidays and there’s food that will expire if you leave it in the fridge or pantry.</li><li>You’ve had a bumper crop on the lemon tree and wish to make someone’s day by giving it to them.</li><li>Like too many others, you’ve bought too much food… again.</li><li>You cook a dish and donate it to someone in the community just because you like to share.</li><li>You bought multiple of the same item from the supermarket, only to get home and open one and realise you actually don't like it.</li><li>You checked the expiry of some food in the fridge and the date is fast approaching so you'd like to give it away before you have to throw it away.</li></ul>After you post your item, it’s reviewed by a real person and then is visible by anyone. Yes, we like to review everything before it goes live to ensure that it's only good food getting donated.Foody Bag members can then contact each other via the app and arrange a time for pick-up. The exact address is only given to the member once agreed. Prior to then the members will only see an approximate location.To encourage courteous behaviour and punctuality, both parties rate each other after pick-up.So what are you waiting for? Check your fridge or pantry and get donating and make someone smile today.

Are you ready for it?

Donate or Pick-up Unwanted Food

Foody Bag's Blezz Feature

Groupon and Scoopon were all about capitalism

Over 11 years ago, Groupon had their Australian launch, a whole 10 months after Scoopon already went out with their first deal.The deals on offer were broad and could be anything from a breakfast at your local cafe to a fine dining experience in a revolving restaurant (that one is still on Groupon, in fact!). The deals weren't just food-based, you could find discounts for experiences too, like cheap tickets to the cinema or other city attractionsIt was certainly a win for Groupon and Scoopon but the restaurants, cafes and hotels themselves - they didn't fare so well. For them, they often had to give up their peak-time seats or beds for cut-price deals.This year Foody Bag is planning to help get people into restaurants to pick up end of day food. In some cases the restaurant may be happy for customers to be seated and others may prefer food to be taken away. Unlike Groupon and Scoopon, food retailers will be selling food that would otherwise go to waste and it'll happen during non-peak hours.So for restaurants and food courts this will be a huge win, they'll be able to make money where there would normally be losses.Stay tuned for this new release as we're coming out of winter.

Channel 9 News Interview

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