Zomato Introduces 'Food Rescue' to Cut Food Waste and Offer Deals on Cancelled Orders

Zomato has introduced an innovative feature called 'Food Rescue,' which aims to address food wastage due to order cancellations on its platform. With over 400,000 cancelled orders each month, Zomato recognized the need for a solution that would benefit customers, restaurant partners, and the environment alike. Through this new feature, cancelled orders will become available to nearby users at discounted prices, allowing people to enjoy freshly prepared food that would otherwise go to waste.

This initiative comes as Zomato seeks to make its platform more sustainable and cost-effective for customers. According to Zomato, food waste from cancelled orders has long been a concern. Despite stringent no-refund policies for cancellations, many orders are abandoned by customers for various reasons, resulting in both food wastage and revenue loss. 'Food Rescue' was developed as a means to offer these untouched meals to nearby users in a way that benefits everyone involved.

Here’s how the 'Food Rescue' feature works: When an order is cancelled, it is marked as available for nearby customers who can claim it through the app at a significantly reduced price. The food is kept in its original packaging, ensuring it remains fresh and unaltered. Once claimed, the order is quickly delivered to the new customer by the delivery partner carrying the order, which means customers can receive the food in just minutes. Zomato notes that this feature will only be available for a limited time after the cancellation to maintain food quality and freshness.

Zomato has designed the feature to work seamlessly for restaurant and delivery partners. Restaurants participating in 'Food Rescue' will receive the full payment for the originally cancelled order. Additionally, they will get a portion of the payment made by the new customer if the order is claimed. This ensures that restaurants are not financially affected by cancelled orders and, in fact, stand to benefit from additional sales. If a restaurant prefers not to participate in the program, they can easily opt-out through the restaurant partner app, allowing flexibility for businesses.

ALSO READ| Swiggy vs Zomato: Which is better Investment Opportunity according to Morgan Stanley?

Delivery partners, too, are accommodated in this new process. They will be fully compensated for any additional drop-off required for the new customer’s location, making sure that they are paid fairly for their time and effort. Zomato has emphasized that its 'Food Rescue' feature is designed to maintain fair compensation for all parties, while also supporting environmental and sustainability goals.

The feature also comes with specific guidelines to ensure both quality and convenience for customers. Orders that include items particularly sensitive to temperature, distance, or freshness — such as ice cream, shakes, and certain other perishable items — are excluded from 'Food Rescue' to ensure customers receive food that meets quality standards. Additionally, customers who prefer vegetarian food won’t see non-vegetarian orders available for claim, aligning with user preferences and dietary requirements.

Zomato will not retain any portion of the payment from 'Food Rescue' transactions, apart from required taxes. The amount paid by the new customer is shared between the original restaurant partner and the initial customer if they had made a payment. This setup reinforces Zomato’s intent to support both restaurants and customers, ensuring they benefit from this new feature.

The 'Food Rescue' feature has begun a phased rollout across major cities, with further expansion planned in the coming months. This feature is part of Zomato’s ongoing commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to addressing food waste and making affordable food options more accessible. By allowing cancelled orders to be repurposed instead of discarded, Zomato not only minimizes waste but also gives users an option to enjoy meals at a fraction of the cost, which could help mitigate costs for frequent users of the platform.

ALSO READ| Tata Motors Expects Stronger Q3 Performance Thanks to Festive Season Boost

As 'Food Rescue' gains traction, Zomato aims to collect feedback from users, restaurant partners, and delivery staff to refine the service further. Through this initiative, Zomato is making strides towards creating a more sustainable and user-friendly platform that aligns with the growing emphasis on environmental responsibility and reducing food wastage across the food service industry.

[Disclaimer: This information is based on recent Zomato updates and may change as the feature expands or adapts based on user and restaurant feedback.]