Refreshing project to save on food

Refreshi launches in Stellenbosch
With the cost of living on the rise, Refreshi is stepping in to help both consumers to save money and businesses to generate additional income in a simple, smart way.
Launching soon, Refreshi is a new mobile app that allows South Africans to purchase surplus food from supermarkets, coffee shops, bakeries and delis at significantly reduced prices. By connecting businesses with consumers looking for great deals, Refreshi ensures that perfectly good food is enjoyed rather than being left unused or discarded – while also providing much-needed savings for consumers and increased foot traffic for partner stores.
Surplus food is a growing challenge. While millions of South Africans struggle to afford meals, an estimated 10 million tonnes of food go unsold or uneaten each year. Refreshi is here to bridge that gap, giving surplus food a second chance, reducing waste, and making quality meals more accessible to everyone.
A win-win for businesses and consumers from large retailers to independent stores, businesses across South Africa face the complex issue of resolving financial losses related to unsold food. Refreshi provides an easy solution by turning surplus stock into a new revenue stream. Being a partner means access to new customers and increased foot traffic in store. Plus, the partners reduce their environmental impact and become part of a more sustainable South Africa. For consumers, especially students and budget-conscious shoppers, the app offers an affordable way to access high-quality food at a fraction of the usual price. This issue is currently front of mind for students in Stellenbosch who have protested the high cost of living in recent weeks. This has validated the reasoning to launch the app in Stellenbosch. Refreshi isn’t just another food app, it’s a movement.
Quotes from Refreshi: “Many South Africans are feeling the pinch of rising food prices. Refreshi is here to offer an innovative way to stretch your budget while supporting local businesses,” says Jakob Holbak, founder of Refreshi. “At the same time, stores now have a way to recover costs from surplus stock, making this a win-win for everyone.”
“We are confident that students and consumers that take advantage of our platform will find great value in the prices and discover new spots to spend time in and around Stellenbosch. Through Refreshi, I believe there is opportunity to explore new food options that you would otherwise not think of buying when browsing,” said Bradley Ford, account manager at Refreshi. “Opening our surprise bags will be an exciting activity to end off a day of lectures or studying, with a sweet treat or wholesome ingredients for a great meal.”

How it works
• Businesses list surplus food – supermarkets, coffee shops, bakeries and delis upload their surplus items to the Refreshi app.
• Customers grab a deal – Users browse and purchase surprise bags at a minimum half price of the original retail value (often cheaper). They know the category (e.g., bakery, fruit & veg) but not the exact items inside as this depends on what the stores have left at the end of the day.
• Pick up and enjoy – Buyers collect their surprise bags directly from the business at a set time.
Join the Movement
Refreshi is launching in Stellenbosch on Monday 3 March, and businesses can sign up now to be part of the first wave of partners. Consumers eager to save on food costs can pre-register for updates and be the first to access exclusive deals.

• About Refreshi: Refreshi is a South African startup dedicated to bringing new life to surplus food and providing more affordable meals. By leveraging technology, Refreshi creates a simple and effective way for businesses to sell surplus food at discounted prices while giving customers access to affordable, high-quality meals.