Freshlocal Extends Partnership with Digital Technology Supercluster through New Funding Focused on Reducing Food Waste

VANCOUVER, BC - Freshlocal Solutions Inc. is pleased to announce it has secured an additional $800,000 investment from the Digital  Supercluster (the "Supercluster") to further enhance its FoodX eGrocery Management Solution (eGMS), with a focus on ensuring safe food delivery and reducing food waste. This investment is a continuation of work previously done in partnership with leading companies involved in the Supercluster such as Microsoft, Adaptech, ETG Consulting, 1QBit, OpsGuru and Freshlocal's on-line grocery provider – SPUD.ca.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, food security became a critical issue with precarious workers, front line responders and Canadians across the country experiencing food insecurity when pre-pandemic reliable food supply chains were disrupted.  Working with the Supercluster, FoodX enhanced and scaled its eGMS systems to support the safe provision of food to Canadian frontline workers, an emerging essential service, during the pandemic. The new Supercluster investment of $800,000 will support system improvements designed to reduce inventory and labour costs, enhance system throughput, and reduce food waste within the grocery business, thereby further supporting the effective, efficient and reliable delivery of food to those who need it most.

"As part of the Supercluster's commitment to continue to support Canadians as we battle the pandemic, through this investment the Supercluster is supporting FoodX's development of enhanced digital solutions that will result in safe, cost-effective and sustainable grocery services being available to all Canadians," said Sue Paish, CEO of the Digital Supercluster. "We are honored to support this ambitious endeavor and excited to see the lasting benefits for Canadians as a result of the work being led by FoodX."

"We are very excited to grow our partnership with the Supercluster to address an issue as important as food security with new thinking and new technologies," said Freshlocal's Chief Executive Officer, Simon Cairns. "Grocers are operating as an essential service while also embracing the rise of eCommerce in the grocery business. Our view is that minimizing food waste needs to remain a top priority, and our work with the Supercluster can contribute viable solutions to this global challenge."