HONOLULU (KHON2) \u2014 A new app is on a mission to make food more affordable and cut back on kitchen waste on O\u02bbahu. <\/p>\n
Save A Bite is a platform that launched in June to provide local restaurants a place to give their leftover food a second life and connect them with the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw firsthand that food waste is a real issue affecting many businesses.\u00a0We combined the two ideas, the desire to give back and the opportunity to reduce\u00a0waste, and that became the inspiration behind Save A Bite,\u201d Cofounder Oak Gjonaj said.<\/p>\n
Participating restaurants have the opportunity to make extra revenue from their surplus food in the form of mystery boxes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a mom-and-pop shop, so dollars\u00a0and cents tend to add up over time. Instead of just having copious amounts of staff meals, this is a way for us to save some of that cost. There\u2019s still plenty of food for them to eat,\u00a0don\u2019t get me wrong, but at least as a business, it\u2019s not a total write-off or total loss,\u201d Managing Partner Pizza Mamo Jon Vasquez said.<\/p>\n
The app is a way to support the local restaurant economy that won\u2019t starve your wallet. Customers can order from three different-sized mystery boxes. For example, a small box is priced at $6.99 with a monetary value of up to $21.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is to create something meaningful for Hawai\u02bbi by helping good food stay on the\u00a0tables, keep businesses in business and keep Hawai\u02bbi local.\u00a0We\u2019ve seen a lot of businesses come into and go out of business this year,\u201d Gjonaj said.<\/p>\n
The app is cost-conscious for those \u201cballing on a budget\u201d but still want to get out and enjoy more than just good food.<\/p>\n
A customer shared that the app helps them to \u201csustain myself now, as I have multiple meals for a small price and I also still feel like a human because I can go out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to know that someone can try our slices at a more affordable rate,\u201d Mad Pie Co-owner James Orlando said. \u201cThen they\u2019ll like it\u00a0and come back and buy it at full price. It\u2019s a nice running circle of community and neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an easy way to come through our door: try a Save A Bite box,\u201d Vasquez said. \u201cThere\u2019s really no reason not to do it. It\u2019s a good program. We\u2019re happy to\u00a0be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n