Refreshi Expands to 700 Stores as Surplus Food Marketplace Gains National Momentum

Refreshi Expands to 700 Stores as Surplus Food Marketplace Gains National Momentum. South African surplus food startup Refreshi has expanded its retail network from 35 partner stores to 700 nationwide in just over a year, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to reduce food waste while helping consumers save on grocery costs.

The company said its platform now serves more than 200,000 registered users across Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Gqeberha, George and Mossel Bay. According to Refreshi’s first Grocery Savings Impact Report, consumers have collectively saved R12.5 million on groceries over the past year, while participating retailers recovered more than R10 million through the sale of surplus food.

Founded in Stellenbosch in March 2025, Refreshi operates a mobile marketplace that allows users to purchase discounted “Surprise Bags” containing surplus food from grocery stores, bakeries and restaurants. Customers buy the bags through the app and collect them during scheduled collection periods, giving retailers an opportunity to sell quality food that might otherwise be discarded.

The company estimates that its platform has rescued approximately 200,000 meals from ending up in landfill since launch. Refreshi also reported environmental benefits linked to the initiative, estimating that the rescued food has prevented around 500,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, conserved approximately 120 million litres of water and saved more than 400,000 square metres of agricultural land.

Refreshi attributes its rapid expansion to growing demand from consumers seeking more affordable grocery options and retailers looking to reduce food waste while recovering value from surplus inventory.

The Grocery Savings Impact Report also highlights the broader challenge of food waste in South Africa. Citing industry estimates, the report states that approximately R61.5 billion worth of food is discarded each year, with around 10.3 million tonnes of edible food ending up in landfill.

In addition to its consumer marketplace, the company operates the Refreshi Exchange, a business-to-business platform that helps manufacturers, distributors and retailers redistribute surplus stock before it expires.

Looking ahead, Refreshi plans to continue expanding its footprint across the country. The company expects its network to grow to more than 2,000 participating stores over the next year, extending access to discounted surplus food while providing retailers with additional opportunities to recover value from products that might otherwise go unsold.