FoodHero is expanding its food waste reduction platform to independent food retailers across Canada as the Montreal-based company broadens its operations beyond major grocery chains.
The company said the expansion will allow independent grocers, bakeries, produce shops, cafés and restaurants to use the platform to sell surplus food that would otherwise go unsold, marking what it described as a new phase of growth.
The move widens the company’s reach at a time when food retailers are looking for ways to manage unsold inventory and consumers continue to seek lower-cost food options.
FoodHero said the platform had previously focused exclusively on large grocery chains. With the latest expansion, neighbourhood food businesses will also be able to participate in the service, which connects retailers with consumers through a mobile application designed to help move surplus food.
The company said a significant amount of food waste occurs at the retail level, where edible products are removed from shelves before being sold. It added that unsold inventory represents a direct revenue loss for retailers.
FoodHero said the expansion is intended to provide smaller businesses with a way to generate revenue from surplus inventory while giving consumers access to discounted food from local retailers.
The company launched a pilot project in Montreal in the fall of 2025 involving independent food retailers. FoodHero said the early results showed interest from both merchants and consumers, with participating businesses viewing the platform as a way to attract customers and generate revenue from unsold products.
“The results we’ve seen from our pilot with independent retailers over the past few months have been very encouraging. They confirm there is a real need, both among businesses and consumers, and that this approach aligns with our vision of better valuing surplus food. In a context of rising grocery prices, these surplus items also represent a concrete opportunity for households to reduce their food expenses,” said Renaud LeBlanc, president of FoodHero.
The company also recently presented the initiative at the annual conference of the Quebec association of commercial development corporations, known as RSDCQ, where FoodHero served as the official presenting partner on May 6 and 7.
FoodHero said the initiative generated interest from local business stakeholders and that the company plans to accelerate its rollout across Quebec.
Founded in Montreal by Jonathan Defoy, FoodHero operates a mobile application that connects food retailers with consumers to help reduce food waste. The company said it is now present in more than 1,100 grocery stores across Canada.
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