Leeds tech startup creates new app to prevent food waste

A Leeds-based startup has created a smartphone app which highlights end of day reductions on supermarket goods.

Yellow Label’s app works by notifying users of grocery goods that have been reduced to clear due to expiration dates coming up.

The app was developed by Toma Paro, Sam Patchitt and Richard Torpey, and has been beta-tested with shoppers around Leeds.

The entrepreneurial trio are currently in early discussions to see if it can be used by one of the bigger supermarket chains later this year.

Toma said: “We developed the app while students at Leeds University out of necessity to know where we could buy cheaper groceries and to help people shop smarter with greater transparency.

“However what keeps Yellow Label together is that we are all passionate about combating the issues of food waste, and the only way we thought this was possible was to make something that was commercially viable to retailers.

“The feedback we have had following beta-testing has been very positive from our consumers and helped us in approaching retailers.”

To support the business, the team joined accelerator programme Entrepreneurial Spark Powered by NatWest.

Based at the Headrow, Leeds, Entrepreneurial Spark is the world’s largest free business accelerator and provides a training programme focused on developing the right mind-set and behaviours needed to become a successful entrepreneur through enablement, mentoring and development support.

This includes support from partners including KPMG, Dell Technologies and Pinsent Masons.

Toma added: “The programme has been extremely good in taking our business idea to the next stage through the various tools and resources provided. It’s exciting to see where we will go from here.”

Melissa Hulme, entrepreneur development manager at NatWest, commented: “The team at Yellow Label have developed a fantastic app which will make food-shopping easier for consumers and retailers. We wish the business every success for the future.”

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