Unilever brand Continental has partnered with a tech startup to tackle the problem of surplus produce from local growers.
The partnership is the collaborative work of Continental and the Unilever Foundry, which is an entry-point for tech innovative companies seeking to connect with Unilever.
In a bid to build and cultivate strategic partners for the future, the Foundry invited international startups to pitch as part of a pitch process, and Ripe.Near.Me was successful.
Unilever will work with RipeNear.Me to help eliminate food waste by connecting backyard growers, sellers and traders with everyday home cooks within their communities online.
The move is part of Unilever's aim to ensure 100 per cent of the vegetables, meat, herbs and spices used in their products are sourced sustainably by 2020.
Consumers are now able to visit the Continental website, select a recipe, enter their postcode, and source fresh home-grown ingredients through RipeNear.Me.
Alistair Martin, co-founder of RipeNear.Me, said Continental was a natural fit for his startup.
“We believe backyards, front yards, balconies, roofs, vacant blocks and other empty urban spaces are perfectly good places to grow food, and by working with Continental we're encouraging Australians to become involved in their local community and learn more about the food on our plates," he said.
