Diners Can Save Big While Supporting Sustainability Efforts
SINGAPORE – A new app, Yindii, offers Singapore diners a way to buy unsold food from eateries at discounts of up to 80%, significantly reducing food waste. Launched in August 2024, Yindii partners with popular establishments like Paul, Baker & Cook, and SaladStop to offer “surprise bags” containing surplus food items at heavily reduced prices.
How It Works
Customers use the app to pre-order surprise bags, which include unsold menu items from participating eateries. The contents vary daily and are available for collection at designated times. The app is free for users and merchants, with Yindii earning commissions on sales.
Since its launch, Yindii has helped merchants clear 80% of their daily surplus food and offset more than 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Addressing Food Waste and Rising Costs
Singapore generated 755,000 tonnes of food waste in 2023, with over 600,000 tonnes dumped. Rising inflation has made affordable food options even more appealing, said Yindii co-founder Mahima Rajangam Natarajan.
The app also aligns with the Good Samaritan Food Donation Bill introduced in July 2024, which protects donors from liability when donating food under certain conditions.
Growing Momentum
The response to Yindii has been positive, with merchants like Paul and Baker & Cook seeing increased demand for their surprise bags and reducing their waste by 4% to 5%. Customers, too, are embracing the app for its affordability and sustainability benefits.
“We’ve seen steady interest across locations, with some outlets reporting up to a 10% increase in sales,” said a Paul spokesperson.
Baker & Cook, which offers two to four surprise boxes daily, plans to expand its participation. “Slots fill quickly in the morning, showing a strong demand for sustainable food options,” its spokesman said.
Building a Sustainable Future
Yindii is one of several platforms tackling food waste in Singapore, alongside apps like Just Dabao and Treatsure. As more consumers and businesses join these efforts, apps like Yindii are proving that sustainability and savings can go hand in hand.
