The Checkout: Misfits Market Is “Proudly All Over The Map”; United Nations To Address Plastic Pollution by 2024

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Misfits Market Now Reaches Nearly Every Zip Code In The Lower 48 States

Misfits Market this week announced it has expanded to Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the affordability and sustainability-focused online grocery platform as it now delivers to urban and rural areas across all the lower 48 states.

The online DTC platform aims to be accessible to consumers in every market across the country with the ultimate goal of eliminating food deserts in America by 2025.

“Three years ago, Misfits Market started with a vision to address inequity and provide everyone, regardless of where they live, access to quality food delivered in an affordable way,” said Abhi Ramesh, CEO and founder of Misfits Market, in a press release. “With prices for groceries at an all time-high, we’re thrilled to fulfill this vision by launching Misfits Market in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota, bringing food access and incredible value to shoppers from coast to coast.”

The company – which recently added dairy, bakery, and wine categories to its platform – offers everything from fresh, organic produce to meats and seafood, plant-based proteins, pantry staples delivered direct-to-consumer. The company claims its prices can be up to 40% less than in traditional grocery stores.

United Nations Aims To Address Plastic Crisis With New Treaty By 2024

During its biannual Environment Assembly this week, United Nations representatives, including Heads of State, environmental ministers and other representatives from the 175 member nations, announced they will begin developing a legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. The resolution is set to be drafted over the next two years and aims to address the full life cycle of plastic, including production, design and disposal.

The agreement also created the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), which will develop the resolution plan with guidance from three initial draft resolutions from various nations. The goal is to offer “diverse alternatives to address the full lifecycle of plastics” while also generating more international collaboration on the issue, including shared access to technology and scientific capabilities.

“Let it be clear that the INC’s mandate does not grant any stakeholder a two-year pause,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in a press release. In parallel to negotiations over an international binding agreement, UNEP will work with any willing government and business across the value chain to shift away from single-use plastics, as well as to mobilize private finance and remove barriers to investments in research and in a new circular economy.”

Flashfood Closes $12.3 Million Funding Round

Online grocer Flashfood, which diverts soon-to-expire food to consumers at discounted prices, announced it has raised $12.3 million in a funding round led by S2G Ventures with participation from ArcTern Ventures, General Catalyst, Food Retail Ventures, Rob Gierkink and Alex Moorhead.

The funding will be used to expand Flashfood’s reach across the country while it continues to bring on new retail and grocery partners. To date, the company has diverted over 33 million pounds of food from ending up in landfills and secured more than 1200 retail partner stores including GIANT, Stop & Shop, Giant Food of Maryland, Meijer and Tops.

“This round of funding for Flashfood will allow us to rapidly work toward a more sustainable food system while giving consumers big discounts on groceries, helping them save money and do good for our planet at the same time,” said Josh Domingues, Founder and CEO of Flashfood, in a press release. “This funding comes at a time when Flashfood is needed more than ever. It will fuel our ability to reach more shoppers and partner with sustainability-minded grocery chains across America. Every stakeholder is winning in this equation.”

The marketplace operates a click-and-collect model through its app, which connects shoppers to grocery items that are nearing their best-by date and offers a discount up to 50% off. According to the company, the U.S. retail sector loses about $37 billion in value a year due to food that expires while unsold.

“At S2G Ventures, our mission is to back trailblazing entrepreneurs working to build a healthier and more sustainable food system and we’ve seen how Flashfood can help deliver on this vision,” said Chuck Templeton, managing director at S2G, in a press release. “Flashfood has created a simple way for retailers and consumers to help put a dent in the food waste crisis in a way that creates value for everyone, the retailer, shoppers and the planet.”

7-Eleven Now Offers A Plant-based Black Bean Burger

Convenience store chain 7-Eleven expanded its vegetarian grab-and-go offerings with a new Black Bean burger, available for a limited time at select locations. The plant-based patty is made with black beans, corn, rice and seasonings, but the burger is topped with dairy-based cheese meaning it is not vegan-friendly.

“At 7-Eleven, we keep a watchful eye on the shifting preferences of our customers and are constantly adapting our offerings for them,” said Anjuli Wilkie, 7-Eleven senior category manager of hot foods, in a press release. “We frequently receive requests for more vegetarian options from our loyal customers, and because our hot sandwiches are so popular, the addition of a Black Bean Burger was the perfect fit.”