Zomato's 'Food Rescue' Feature Successfully Saves 75% of Eligible Orders, Says Deepinder Goyal

Zomato’s Food Rescue initiative is proving to be a game-changer in reducing food wastage. The feature, which allows customers to claim canceled food orders at discounted prices, has been gaining traction rapidly. According to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, the feature has successfully saved 75% of eligible orders, translating to over 150,000 meals per month. With increasing participation from users, this number is expected to grow further, significantly reducing food wastage.

What is Zomato’s Food Rescue Feature?

Launched on November 10, 2024, Food Rescue is an initiative designed to curb food wastage by offering canceled food orders to nearby customers. This feature appears automatically on the Zomato app if there is an eligible order within a 3 km radius of the delivery agent. Customers can claim these meals within minutes at discounted prices, ensuring that good food does not go to waste.

How Does the Food Rescue Feature Work?

• Whenever an order is canceled, it becomes available for nearby users.

• The option to claim the order is open for only a few minutes.

• Customers can purchase the order at a discounted price.

• The meal is delivered in its original, untampered packaging within minutes.

• Restaurant partners receive compensation for the canceled order, along with a share from the new order.

• Delivery partners are fully compensated for the entire trip.

Impact of Food Rescue: Numbers and Growth

The response to this initiative has been overwhelming. Deepinder Goyal revealed that:

• 75% of eligible orders are now being rescued by customers.

• This translates to over 150,000 meals saved every month.

• The feature is experiencing steady growth, with increasing user engagement.

• On average, these orders are claimed within two minutes and delivered in less than nine minutes.

Why Was the Food Rescue Feature Introduced?

Zomato receives a staggering 400,000 canceled orders every month. Before this initiative, these canceled meals would go to waste, despite being in perfect condition. The Food Rescue feature was developed to tackle this problem, ensuring that fresh, untouched food reaches those who need it at lower prices while also reducing overall food wastage.

How Customers Can Access Food Rescue Orders?

For users interested in availing the Food Rescue feature:

• The feature automatically appears on the home screen if a canceled order is available nearby.

• Users can refresh their home page to check for new rescue orders.

• Once claimed, the meal is quickly delivered in its original packaging.

Benefits of the Food Rescue Initiative

1. Reduction in Food Wastage

The initiative helps prevent thousands of meals from going to waste, promoting sustainability and responsible consumption.

2. Affordable Meals for Customers

Users get access to freshly prepared meals at discounted prices, making it a win-win situation.

3. Compensation for Restaurant Partners

Restaurants still get compensated for canceled orders and also earn from the re-sold food, reducing their losses.

4. Full Payment for Delivery Partners

Delivery executives are not affected financially by cancellations, as they receive full compensation for their trips.

5. Faster Delivery Times

Since the food is already prepared and with the delivery agent, users receive their orders within minutes.

Future of Zomato’s Food Rescue Feature

Given the positive response, Zomato may consider expanding this initiative further. With increasing participation, the platform could potentially integrate more features like:

• Wider availability in different cities.

• More restaurant partnerships to maximize saved orders.

• Additional discounts or incentives for frequent users.

Conclusion

Zomato’s Food Rescue feature is a remarkable step towards reducing food wastage while benefiting both consumers and restaurant partners. With 75% of eligible orders being rescued, the initiative is already making a significant impact, and its adoption rate is steadily increasing. As Zomato continues to refine and expand this feature, it has the potential to transform the way food delivery platforms manage cancellations, ensuring that good food never goes to waste.