A Danish company that has been on a four-year mission to stamp out food waste in Europe is about to target a country that beats nearly all others when it comes to unloved leftovers.
“We think the U.S. and North America is the best fit because so much food is wasted in the U.S.,” Lykke told MarketWatch recently. She quoted an oft-cited U.S. Department of Agriculture statistic that 30% to 40% of the American food supply goes uneaten. One estimate by the European Commission points to 20% food waste in Europe, where portions are smaller and more cooking is done at home.
Across Europe, France has stood out as a success story for the app, said Lykke. Bakeries, grocery stories and local Starbucks SBUX, -0.41% cafes all offer leftovers. Other partnerships include Canada-based Tim Hortons, operated by Restaurant Brands International QSR, -0.54% QSR, -0.54%, which offers cut-rate doughnuts in places like Madrid.