New cheap food app aims to cut Dubai waste

Dubai-based Keepeat App has launched its new platform aimed at preventing food waste.

Created in a bid to help alleviate the growing environmental problem, the app’s first partner will be Trader’s House eatery located in the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Keepeat, a cooperative startup between Emirati and Swedish entrepreneurs, said it adheres to all health authority regulations, while allowing consumers to save on their meals.

Consumers can browse and buy discounted food of a minimum of 50 percent off with the app, then arrive at the outlet during the specified time, show their receipt, and pick up their food.

Only food good enough to be sold will be available and any food that has passed the allowed hours will never be offered for sale, a statement said.

The company said its vision is in line with the launch of the Emirates Food Bank initiative in 2017.

“Keepeat is a platform to enable retailers to minimize food waste, while consumers can save the food instead of letting it go to waste,” said Ena Basic, CEO of Keepeat.

“The value of wasted food in the UAE amounts to around AED13 billion ($3.5 billion) each year, while the cost of discarding food in Dubai alone totals AED282 million.”

“We are excited to partner with Keepeat in rolling out Trader’s House as our first outlet here at DWTC,” said Andrew Cullen, director at DWTC. “As a keen supporter of this cause, we are determined to continue our journey through this partnership, and set a positive example in addressing the issue of surplus food in the UAE.”