Lunds & Byerlys Reduces Food Waste Through Partnership with Phood Solutions

Edina, Minn. (April 18, 2023) – Food waste in the United States is estimated to exceed 100 billion pounds per year. Exact figures are unknown, as tracking food waste is notoriously difficult at every level of the supply chain.

At Lunds & Byerlys, the ability to more precisely track and reduce food waste on its deli food bars is now possible through a partnership with Phood Solutions. And based on initial results, Lunds & Byerlys anticipates further reducing its annual food waste by nearly 150,000 pounds.

Through the use of a scale, computer vision and artificial intelligence, Phood allows Lunds & Byerlys team members to quickly and easily scan and weigh food as its added to the food bar and then again before any food is discarded. Utilizing Phood’s robust reporting, Lunds & Byerlys can make necessary adjustments to its daily food offerings to ensure significantly less food is wasted by providing its customers with the right food offerings at the right time.

“We are deeply committed to providing our customers with a wide variety of fresh, high-quality food options while also being good environmental stewards,” said Katie Swenson, director of deli operations at Lunds & Byerlys. “Phood provides us a tremendous tool to track our waste so we can make smarter decisions about the quantity of each offering on our expansive food bars.”

Lunds & Byerlys is the first retailer in the Twin Cities to utilize Phood’s innovative solution as yet another way to minimize its food waste. Through Lunds & Byerlys projected food waste reductions with Phood, along with its partnership with Second Harvest Heartland’s Food Rescue Program and food donations to local pig farmers, Lunds & Byerlys is keeping nearly six million pounds of food from being wasted every year.

“Being from the Twin Cities myself, it’s particularly exciting to bring this program into Lunds & Byerlys,” said Max Mliner, director of operations at Phood. “Since installation, every level of the organization has been incredibly engaged – eager to achieve substantial waste reductions while ensuring the highest-quality food is offered to customers. We look forward to continue working with such an enthusiastic partner, and building on this success together.”