Food waste in the United States is a significant issue, with approximately one-third of all food produced ending up in landfills instead of being consumed. This wastage translates into unnecessary production, packaging, storage, and delivery requirements, all of which contribute to climate change. A recent study published in the journal *Science* found that food production is responsible for 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Food delivery services like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and EveryPlate help mitigate this problem by sending consumers only the ingredients needed for specific recipes. However, a New York-based startup called Hungryroot is taking this concept a step further. The nine-year-old company uses artificial intelligence to provide a more curated food delivery experience, ensuring that consumers receive the precise amount of food they will use.

Hungryroot’s approach begins with customers answering a comprehensive set of questions about their food preferences, allergies, health goals, and cooking habits. Using this information, Hungryroot’s technology determines the best recipes and grocery items for each customer. “Hungryroot is entirely designed to give you just the foods that you’re going to need for your week,” Ben McKean, the company’s CEO, told CNBC. “And it gives you simple recipes, so you know exactly what to do with them, and as a result, food waste with our customers is significantly reduced.”

Each week, Hungryroot sends users a list of the items in their cart, allowing them to approve or modify their selections. This process not only minimizes waste for consumers but also for Hungryroot. For example, if a user has no preference between broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and the company has an excess of broccoli, they will recommend broccoli to help manage inventory more efficiently.

Hungryroot claims that these processes lead to 80% less food waste at its facilities compared to traditional supermarkets. Investors are taking note of this efficient and environmentally friendly model. “They have been profitable for three or four years now, which is unusual for a lot of these e-commerce, food businesses,” said Jeremy Liew, a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. “They’ve been able to drive that through efficiency of spend, and because they have built a business that customers really love.”

Hungryroot has attracted significant investment from prominent venture capital firms, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, L Catterton, Crosslink Capital, KarpReilly, and Lerer Hippeau. To date, the company has raised a total of $75 million.

This innovative approach not only addresses the critical issue of food waste but also positions Hungryroot as a leader in the sustainable food delivery market. By leveraging artificial intelligence to tailor food deliveries precisely to consumer needs, Hungryroot is setting a new standard for efficiency and sustainability in the industry.

Furthermore, the company’s ability to maintain profitability while reducing waste highlights the potential for other businesses to adopt similar models, ultimately contributing to a reduction in global food waste and its associated environmental impacts. With continued support from investors and a growing customer base, Hungryroot is poised to make a significant impact on both the food delivery industry and environmental sustainability efforts.