Tech Helps Boston Food Businesses Thrive Amid Pandemic

Photo by Michael Piazza

While we wait out the shutdown during Covid-19, technology is supporting people in the Boston area and elsewhere to help them access both cooked meals and groceries. The ability to use apps and websites is particularly appreciated during the pandemic due to social distancing and self-quarantine. 

However, meal and grocery delivery apps are convenient at any time. They appeal to people whose schedules don't make it easy for them to visit stores, those who dislike cooking or feel they don't have time to do it. They're also helpful for disabled or older people and those who don't have cars or access to transportation. 

Reducing Food Waste While Keeping People Fed

Food waste is a major problem, and it's one Sabine Meister Vallenga and David Rodriguez noticed while in college. They dealt with the challenges of trying to afford nutritious food while on a tight budget, while they saw restaurants around them discarding unsold food every day. The two teamed up to find a solution and the Food for All app was born. (See our profile of the app from the Summer 2019 issue.)

Created in October 2016 after a successful Kickstarter campaign, the app tackles food waste at restaurants while offering consumers access to consumable items at affordable prices. Besides providing people with nutritious foods that would otherwise get thrown out, it gives area restaurants an additional revenue stream, plus the satisfaction of helping community members.

All meals offered on the app are always less than half price. People reserve what they want, then pick it up from the restaurant at a specified time—usually an hour before closing. The app is free and anyone can sign up to use it.

As part of their efforts to support both the restaurant industry and the eating public during Covid-19, they’re offering new ways to help people feed themselves: App users can now buy meals in advance from closed establishments and “bank” them to redeem when restaurants are open. They’ve also created a platform to both donate meals to people in need and register to anonymously receive donated food, taking the stigma out of food insecurity.

Helping Chefs Source Local Foods

Restaurant chefs can play major roles in furthering the Buy Fresh, Buy Local movement. An app called CropShop connects North Shore chefs with farmers from the same area, thereby making it easier to commit to supporting local producers.

A.J. Marcinek, the founder and CEO of CropShop, explains. "We stimulate local food economies by making it easy for wholesale buyers to easily order from local farms and producers, where otherwise their purchase power generally leaves the community. Making it easy for buyers to source locally brings amazing experiences for consumers dining at restaurants and buying in stores." 

The site's setup makes it straightforward for restaurant professionals to buy what they need by browsing the options from numerous farms, all in one place. That's crucial, given the increasing desire from consumers who wish to support the local farm-to-table movement. 

There are obvious payoffs for producers, too, Marcinek said. "For farms, our technology consolidates their wholesale operation into one easy-to-use environment and increases sales with little effort." Whether restaurant chefs want to increase their current resources when ordering from local producers or are ready to support local farmers for the first time, CropShop is an excellent place to start. Marcinek plans to expand beyond the North Shore, too. 

Providing Food to People at Home and Away

Besides the two choices mentioned above, there are other handy apps and sites to serve Bostonians. That's especially helpful now that the COVID-19 pandemic forces people to stay at home except to avail of essential services. Groceries are essentials, but many people would rather have them delivered. 

Since some grocery stores have measures in place to limit the number of people inside, shopping can take much longer than anticipated. Many local grocery brands also have online ordering, along with the major chains. This way shoppers can get the goods they need and not worry about going out. Health officials say the risk of contracting the coronavirus from touching food or its packaging is low. Shopping online makes it easier to stay safe at home, and offers other benefits—like avoiding impulse buying.

Some restaurant owners in Boston understand that people may miss the experience of dining out and enjoying mixologists’ cocktails during the coronavirus outbreak. They’re now providing cocktail kits for consumers to order. All that’s left after receiving the supplementary ingredients is to add alcohol and stir. 

Food apps and websites create win-win situations for consumers and businesses alike. Shoppers love the ease of getting food delivered and enterprises appreciate the extra income-generation option. Technology is becoming more advanced and the possibilities for buying consumables this way are plentiful, letting people see how meal sourcing can be easier to manage during the pandemic and beyond.