The food system in the United States is a wide one and the American supermarket platform is its vast and main source. It holds farmed produce, processed food and multiple amounts of meat and dairy. However, reports have it that the supermarket is slowly being killed off.
A standard American supermarket holds an average of 40,000 square feet and carries thousand of products. But according to Wired, it's a terrible way to get food.
In 2014, it was reported that 43 billion pounds of food sold through point of sales from mass production didn't make it to consumer's homes or tables because of mold, climate changes in the area and other shrinkage factors. This kind of energy and system is flawed because it encourages mass production and returns food losses that translates to cost. This means that the supermarket industry needs to evolve and reinvent themselves. What would a $638 billion industry need to do?
Apps are making its rounds in every mobile device. A smart-phone savvy consumer can get connected with the source directly. This enables producers to know just how much to produce, for shoppers to order just what they want, and for food to get from one to the other faster and with fewer stops in between.
Apps like Instacart is one of the elite apps that offers higher quality food, ease in delivery, vast sources and minimal wastage. This personal shopper app is located in 18 American metros like Chicago, Miami, New York and San Francisco. Imagine a concierge style service that relies on physical stores but does the shopping for you. Once you place the order, an available Instacart shopper fills it for you in the most effective way possible. Part-time employees work for Instacart with no minimum-hour requirement which is perfect for those who juggle multiple jobs. Once complete, the personal shopper delivers straight or through a contracted driver.
This way, the billion dollar industry minimizes losses, gives shopping ease for consumers and has provided jobs to about 400 (and growing) full and part time jobs.
