Latest news with #takeout
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Vancouver company celebrates reusable food container success
Social Sharing While there are multiple ways to eschew single-use food takeout containers in favour of reusable ones, a Vancouver company says it has moving toward being a major player in the sector. was founded in 2021 by Jason Hawkins and Anastasia Kiku, then both in their mid-20s, as a way to address the scourge of single-use takeout containers they were seeing piling up in garbage cans, landfills — or even worse — as litter. "We just don't have any more time to sit and not do something," said Kiku at the time about their concept. The company provides businesses with reusable containers, which are given to customers at checkout without a deposit. Customers are only charged — between $5 and $10 — if the containers aren't returned to special bins that track them. It's a simple concept, which others are also doing, but comes with hurdles such as getting customers to change their habits to adopt the system. says the company recognized its system, now at places such as University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University, is a good fit for where consumers, such as students and staff, return to the same place over and over again. "It really makes sense as a perfect closed-loop model where everyone is in that location," said Jasper Law, the company's product lead. "It's easy for them to know that they can bring it back to that place." Reusables also has improved its made-in-Vancouver return bins. Users scan their container to open the bin, meaning it's tamper-proof and can only be filled with Reusables containers. Law said a successful reusable-container business has to have a high rate of return to be viable. "What matters in these programs is return rate," he said. "So we are striving to get as close to 100 per cent as possible because every container loss needs to be replaced and that eliminates the value of the program." West Vancouver's Hollyburn Country Club is now using the system for its 8,000 members. Officials say member often received food or drink in single-use containers, but used them and discarded them on site, which created a garbage problem. "So we thought we should look for an alternative solution," said Caitlin Lundy, the club's director of sales and communication. The club says it's now saving between 8,000 and 10,000 units of paper cups, plastic lids and paper takeout containers per month. "So the initial cost of the system, it paid for itself within about two months," Lundy said. Company receives seed funding captured nearly $4 million in seed funding in April to help it expand further. "We're thrilled to be backed by the best tech and climate investors as we scale real impact, not just optics," said Hawkins in a release from the company. "Greenwashing won't solve the waste crisis — technology and execution will." Single-use item waste is a big problem to tackle in a "take, make waste society," said Denise Philippe, Metro Vancouver's National Zero Waste Council's senior policy adviser. Metro Vancouver has ambitious goals to reduce this type of waste and commended companies like for trying to make a difference. "I think there's lots of creativity and innovation that's happening in this space," said Philippe. "So kudos to both the reuse systems [and] system providers that are out there … scratching their heads … and trying to figure out how to make this work and make it work at scale and make it cost efficient."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Restaurant's bizarre requirement sparks fiery debate about adults ordering off the kids' menu
Who knew that kids menus could come with such intense restrictions? That's exactly what TikTok user @ discovered when she went to place a phone order for an Italian restaurant her and her family eat at pretty often. In a now-viral TikTok video, she explained that after putting in the order for her and her husband she asked for the spaghetti and meatballs off of the designated kids' menu for her eight-year-old daughter. But she was told by the restaurant that she wasn't allowed to get anything off the children's section over the phone because the eatery couldn't verify whether or not it was actually for a youngster - and it sparked a massive debate. 'So I order it and they tell me that they don't take orders for kids' spaghetti and meatballs over the phone because they think it's adults buying the spaghetti and meatballs kids' portion and eating it themselves,' the woman said. 'So you can only [get] kids' spaghetti and meatballs if you eat at the restaurant.' She ended the video by posing the question, 'Is this normal?' and social media users definitely had thoughts. Many people flocked to the comment section to share their thoughts, launching a fiery argument about whether or not restaurants should require confirmation that kids' meals are for kids. 'Not normal and frankly asinine,' one TikTok user said of the restaurant's rule. 'Never heard of a restaurant doing this,' another chimed in. A different user commented: 'That's so odd. If I'm buying something, then I don't need to be questioned. If you don't want my money... bye.' Other users pointed out that even if it was an adult ordering off the kids' menu it wasn't hurting the restaurant in any way. 'Kids portions are less money because they are smaller portions and or less expensive food groups,' one said. 'So there should be no business reason for them caring if an adult eats it.' Another TikTok user wrote: 'I'm so confused? Who cares who eats the kids meal? You are paying less because it's a smaller portion. 'Some elderly people needs kids portions as well. That's crazy business.' It launched a fiery argument about whether or not restaurants should require confirmation that kids' meals are for kids Some users even suggested that she cancel the order Very few users explained that allowing adults to eat off of a kid's menu would be bad for business Some users even added that the poster should have canceled her order immediately. 'Please tell me you said, "Cool cancel the entire order,"' one user wrote, to which the original poster replied, 'They offered me the option of getting a side of spaghetti and adding a meatball. So dumb.' 'A sale is a sale - you don't want to sell me a kids meal, I'll go somewhere else. Simple,' another user offered. And while most comments mirrored similar sentiments, there were a select few who didn't find an issue with the restaurant's policy. 'Kid menus are usually a financial loss for the restaurant. The menus exist to entice in families,' one person offered. 'TikTok has normalized adults purchasing kids portions so I kinda get their reasoning but they should know when to enact this 'policy' and it's not when someone is ordering other stuff,' another said.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I was a food delivery addict who forked over $4k per YEAR on takeout... here's how I turned my life around
A woman who ordered in takeout for almost all of her meals has issued a shocking warning to those who love food delivery like her - revealing she wasted thousands of dollars per year, gained a ton of weight, and was left feeling 'sluggish and unwell' from all the fast food. Like most young people these days, Sara Resende, now 32, from Memphis, Tennessee, used to order in takeout all the time. After a long day of work and grand school classes, having a yummy meal delivered straight to her apartment seemed way more appealing than cooking. But the habit ultimately resulted in her 'gaining weight' and wasting a ton of money. She spoke exclusively with the Daily Mail about it, admitting that she and her boyfriend, who shared an apartment at the time, would order in about five to six times a week, spending roughly $350 a month on takeout alone - which adds up to $4,200 per year. 'After working 10 to 12 hour days as a PhD student, I just didn't have the energy to come home and prepare a meal. Ordering in felt like the easiest solution,' she explained. They were also forking over hundreds of dollars on groceries that often went to waste. 'I was throwing away a lot of fresh produce - especially vegetables and dairy - because I didn't feel like cooking or didn't get to them in time,' she admitted. 'The worst part was the cycle: I'd go grocery shopping, feel hopeful, buy everything again… and it would all spoil in the fridge once more. 'It finally hit me that I wasn't just wasting food - I was throwing money straight into the trash.' On top of wasting money, she said her health was 'declining.' 'I gained weight, felt sluggish, and would often feel unwell from all the fast food,' added Sara. But everything changed when Sara was forced to move away from her boyfriend due to a new job. She said suddenly being on her own in a new city felt like the perfect chance to make a lifestyle change. She learned to cook - with the help of her grandma and the internet - and it completely transformed her body, mindset, and lifestyle. 'I [started by] keeping it simple and organized. I didn't try to make elaborate meals - I started with basics like pasta and veggies, chicken and rice, or soups,' Sara dished. 'I followed Instagram accounts that broke everything down step by step and tried to mimic their techniques.' It also changed the way she looked at food and how she shops. She continued, 'I started buying pantry supplies like pasta, rice, and canned goods in bulk when they're on sale. 'I also began buying whole chickens and asking the butcher to chop them for me. 'Even the carcass has value - I boil it to make broth, which I use as a flavorful base for soups or other recipes instead of store-bought stock or spices.' By making her own meals rather than ordering in, she estimated that she saves between $250 and $400 a month. But the best part? She feels so much healthier. 'I know exactly what I'm eating - no additives or preservatives, just fresh ingredients,' gushed the Tennessee-native. 'I make sure everything is properly cooked, which gives me peace of mind, especially with meat and fish. 'I'm also lactose intolerant, so cooking at home allows me to make everything lactose-free, which is nearly impossible with takeout. Everything has dairy nowadays.' In the end, she hopes sharing her story will help others cut down on wasting money on takeout. 'Ordering occasionally is fine, but making it a habit isn't sustainable,' she concluded. 'Over time, it drains both your bank account and your health.'
CNET
06-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Here's How You Can Shrink Your Grocery and Take-Out Food Bills So You Can Grow Your Savings
Viva Tung/CNET, Getty Images Even if you use AI to help you build your grocery list and choose a takeout meal that's on special, how much you're paying for food can add up. My $100 weekly grocery budget definitely doesn't stretch as far, and I'm spending almost double the amount since early last year, depending on my household's needs. If you're in the same boat as me, you've probably tried everything -- shopping sales and even changing your household's grocery list. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' average food and retail prices for some items have increased. Turning to take-out may feel like one way to cut down on the budget, especially if you're able to split it into two meals. But balancing both dining out and higher prices at the grocery store can mean a higher food bill altogether. And the uptick in costs can cut into other budget priorities goals, like how much you can transfer to your savings account. But there's another way to eat what you love without sacrificing your savings goals. Here's what two of our experts recommend to stretch your budget at the grocery store and what to do with your savings as high costs stick around. Use a recipe generator Lots of money-saving advice recommends shopping your pantry and fridge before grocery shopping, but it can be tempting to make an extra grocery store run or order out if you can't put together a dish with what you have. Cooking what you have at home can lower your overall food bill, even if you pay a bit more at the grocery store. It'll likely be more food and less money than eating one meal out. Side hustle expert Daniella Flores recommends SuperCook to find ways to use ingredients you already have at home -- which can save on your weekly grocery bill. "Super Cook is a website that takes all the stuff that you currently have and tries to come up with recipes for it." You can also try other recipe generators, like DishGen, ChefGPT and SideChef AI. Oftentimes, when you're looking for cheaper ingredients, it may seem impossible to create meals you like, said Flores. Some recipe generators can also help you plan while you're shopping if you see items on sale that you may not usually use, they said. AI Can Save You Money on Groceries AI Can Save You Money on Groceries Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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AI Can Save You Money on Groceries Recreate your take-out favorites at home Co-author of Buy What You Love Without Going Broke, Jen Smith, recommends trying to cut food costs to save more. Especially on drinks and food you'd usually enjoy at a restaurant. In some cases, dining out can cost just as much as grocery shopping and cooking -- especially if you live alone. She pointed out that when you're trying to cut costs, you shouldn't deprive yourself of treats or meals you really love. However, it may be more cost-effective to try to make those treats at home instead of eating out. For example, Smith tried a salted caramel latte at a coffee shop and liked it, but she decided to make it at home to have more for less money. "I made that syrup myself, but I'm also buying pre-made cold brew that I really like, and I can get weeks out of this, like $5 or $6 bottles of cold brew, versus just spending $6 on one cold brew one time," said Smith. "It's about finding what you value most and what you love, what feels like a treat, and getting creative with how you get it." Put the extra savings in a high-yield savings account Putting away money you earn from grocery savings may not feel like a lot, but every cent you add can help you avoid debt and other financial troubles -- especially if you're already pulling from savings to make ends meet. If you can save $10 per week on your grocery bill, that's $40 in savings per month. If you transfer those savings to a high-yield savings account that's earning around 4% APY, you can earn interest on that money. This can be an extra cushion for other bills or help you put money toward an emergency fund for surprise expenses.
CBC
03-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Food delivery robots in Markham test appetite for high-tech takeout
The next time you order takeout in Markham, Ont., it could get dropped off by a robot and its human companion. A fleet of orange food delivery machines is being tested as part of a pilot project led by Skip, formerly known as SkipTheDishes, and Real Life Robotics, an automation company under the University of Waterloo's startup incubator called Velocity. The project is the first municipally approved sidewalk delivery operation in the country, and it's already had hundreds of successful orders, says Cameron Waite, CEO of Real Life Robotics. "That's a big deal for us. It's a big deal for Canada … the opportunity is potentially huge," Waite told CBC Toronto. It's one of the latest initiatives across Ontario and beyond that's testing the viability of integrating more automation into people's daily lives. Waite says the three-month pilot aims to decipher whether there's an appetite for robot delivery options in urban environments, and what that could look like. The order process is simple. If a customer orders through the Skip app and is located in the piloting area, they'll be given an option to select robot delivery. From there the process is automated. The "cooler on wheels" is programmed to go to the restaurant, collect the order and drop it off with the customers, Waite says. To get the order, the buyer will scan a QR code and enter their password to unlock the robot. The machines are equipped with sensors that give them spatial awareness and, for now, each one is accompanied by a human guide responsible for studying its interactions with pedestrians and users. Markham is "proud to be at the forefront of smart mobility innovation," the city told Radio-Canada in a statement. "This initiative provides a real-world testing environment for Ontario-based companies to pilot next-generation transportation technologies," the statement says. Concerns about safety and comfort Not every city or everyone is excited about the prospect of robot delivery options. In December 2021, Toronto banned the use of micro-utility devices, which includes food delivery robots, on its sidewalks and bike lanes, in response to concerns about maintaining accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. While safety might be manageable, as these kinds of robots travel at low speeds, a bigger issue is comfort and how robots share space with pedestrians, says Bilal Farooq, an associate professor in transportation engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. "They need to have not just perception, but they should have social awareness of what other pedestrians are doing," he said. For example, Farooq says, the robots should be able to sense whether there are multiple people walking toward it and know to travel around them, not through them. That kind of awareness is something currently being discussed in studies, he says. "These sort of pilots are a good way to test and apply that research," Farooq said. Impacts on employment 'going to happen,' prof says Another concern is whether these robots will get so popular that they start to replace workers. Automation has been happening over the last few centuries and it's likely to impact food delivery eventually, says Harry Holzer, professor of public policy at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. "It seems to me that it's going to happen," Holzer said. "It's not hard to envision that robots will do this more cheaply and more cost-effectively." When asked about the decision to opt for robots instead of people, Waite said the pilot is about learning what the consumer prefers. "The idea here is to figure out, 'Is there value in having an additional option for deliveries in areas like this?" he said. According to a new release by the University of Waterloo
