Amid rising grocery costs in the United States, a startup aims to help shoppers find food at affordable prices while also protecting the environment. 

The scoop

Founded in 2021, Martie is a California-based online retailer that offers highly discounted groceries and essentials. According to its website, customers can save up to 80% on certain items. There's even free shipping on all orders over $50.  

According to the founders of Martie, their goal was to help millions of food-insecure Americans while reducing food waste. From snacks to organic food items, Martie's team of buyers reviews thousands of products to find quality products at affordable prices. 

How it's helping

Per NPR, grocery prices have increased by 29% since February 2020. Many factors influenced the spike, including the COVID-19 pandemic. With the rising prices, some food in stores is going to waste. 

According to Feeding America, 38% of all food goes unsold or uneaten. In total, a whopping 92 billion pounds of food are wasted each year. Food hacks, including retailers like Martie, can help reduce the amount of food sent to landfills.

Food waste has also contributed to the global rise in temperatures. Per the United Nations, food loss and waste account for 8%-10% of polluting gases per year. There's also a global economic impact, with about $1 trillion spent annually on wasted food. 

What everyone's saying

Martie has received positive feedback online. One review from The Good Trade called the app "easy to navigate" and commended the company's speedy delivery. 

"The delivery process was quick and easy," The Good Trade wrote. "I was able to unpack everything in less than 10 minutes, and the packaging is all recyclable." 

Martie also has a significant social media following with more than 38,000 followers on Instagram (@martiegoods). Several followers expressed their gratitude for the service and how it's helped them save money. 

"I love Martie!" one Instagram user wrote. "I've been shopping since March 2024 and my account says I've saved almost $1,900 in that time."

"Just learned about you guys," another commenter said. "Brilliant. Excited to start shopping for my lil fam with Martie."

Would you be more likely to shop at a store that paid you for your old stuff? Absolutely 💯 Only if they make it easy 😎 Depends on the store 🤔 Nope 👎 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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