Kyoto City currently generates 57,000 tons of food loss annually, which, when converted to waste disposal costs, means that the city spends more than 2 billion yen per year to dispose of food loss. Reducing food loss is an issue that Kyoto City residents need to address immediately. In addition to reducing food waste from homes, there are other ways to reduce food loss at stores by devising ways to buy food. One of these is the use of websites and apps that sell reasonably priced foods that are close to their expiration dates or foods that could be eaten well but are likely to remain unsold. By incorporating services that fit your lifestyle, you can work to reduce food loss while gaining benefits. In addition, as an ingenious measure that stores can take, by forecasting food demand based on weather information, etc., they can expect to increase sales and increase profits by reducing the cost of disposing of waste.

A socially responsible shopping site that sells products that are about to expire, are discarded due to out-of-specification or misprinting, or are out of season or events such as Christmas. The average price is about 60% off the list price. Major manufacturers have also introduced the site, and more than 850 companies support it. The total number of products handled is 50,000.

In 2015, we launched Japan's first social contribution shopping site dedicated to food loss reduction. The amount of food loss in Japan is about 6 million tons per year, and the cost of processing it amounts to about 2 trillion yen. Our objective is to solve this waste and social issue. On the site, products purchased from supporting manufacturers are sold at a discount. The prices can be up to 97% off. The main products are food products, but we also sell beauty products and clothing. We also donate 1-5% of sales to social contribution organizations. So, the general public can save money and contribute to society at the same time."
For more information.here

<Voice of KURADASHI companies
Ogawa Coffee
We make products that can no longer be sold through general distribution channels due to expiration dates or changes in packaging available for purchase with the understanding of our customers. We felt empathy with the idea that we could offer customers the opportunity to drink coffee made together with the producers, and at the same time, help solve problems."

A food sharing system that provides users with food that is still good to eat but left over in stores at a reasonable price. Users search for stores with the app. When they find food they want to eat, they pay by credit card on the spot. When the designated time comes, all they have to do is go to the store to pick up the item.

Japan is blessed with a rich food environment, but its food self-sufficiency rate is low, and much of its food is dependent on imports. Reducing food loss is an urgent issue that we must tackle in order to secure food for Japan in the future. That is why we started TABETE. Currently, 23 stores, mostly bakery stores, are registered in Kyoto. Products that are priced at the regular price in stores are listed at a discounted price on the app. You can even make reservations and make payments on the app, so there is no need to go to the store only to find that the item is sold out.
For more information.here

<Testimonials from companies that have adopted TABETE
Kamogawabakery
We only sell products baked on the same day, but we also sell special sets of products that are delicious but difficult to sell out due to weather and other factors. It has been a year since we introduced this system, and customers are very happy because we sell out of the products immediately after they are displayed.

Product demand forecasting service by Japan Weather Association. Based on daily weather forecasts, weather data held by the company, and SNS tweet data, a nine-level experience index and a seven-level demand forecast index are created. Using this information, retailers can adjust product ordering, manufacturing, and display volume to reduce food loss.

Sell-through! forecast can be used to determine the temperatures that are likely to be hot sellers for the next week and the products that are likely to be hot sellers. Sales plans can also be made based on long-term temperature forecasts for the next 12 weeks. Our clients have reported a decrease in final inventory, a reduction in food loss, and an increase in sales. For the general public, buying products from companies using this service has the advantage of being able to buy freshly made products based on appropriate manufacturing plans, and being less likely to run out of stock due to an accurate grasp of demand.
For more information.here

Websites and apps that offer advanced services to reduce food loss. By utilizing these services, consumers can purchase delicious food at the time they want it and at a discount, and business owners can increase sales and forecast demand, which may ultimately lead to increased profits. If this new style of consumption and economic activity can also lead to the achievement of the SDGs, there is no reason not to be aware of it. Let's start by checking each site, each store that uses the service, and incorporate it into our own companies and stores.