As the government shutdown leaves millions uncertain about their SNAP benefits, one app is stepping up to help families access affordable, nutritious food. Flashfood, a free grocery app available on iOS and Android, has seen unprecedented demand in recent days as users search for ways to stretch their budgets.

Founded in 2016 by Canadian entrepreneur Josh Domingues, Flashfood connects shoppers with nearby grocery stores offering deep discounts, often up to 50 percent off, on fresh items nearing their sell-by date. From produce and meats to bakery goods, shoppers can browse deals, pay through the app, and pick up their orders in-store. The result is less food waste and more families fed.

With over 1.5 million users and 2,000 partner stores including Kroger, Meijer, and Piggly Wiggly, Flashfood’s mission is simple: ensure no good food goes to waste while people go hungry. In 2024 alone, the company helped save more than 32 million pounds of food and 80 million dollars for shoppers.

Many of those shoppers are military-connected families who make up a significant portion of the 42 million Americans relying on SNAP benefits. “No family should have to worry about putting food on the table,” said Esther Cohn, Flashfood’s vice president of communications. “We are proud of what we have accomplished, but we feel an even greater urgency to keep building our impact.”

Learn more about how Flashfood is turning surplus into savings and hope for families across the country.

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