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Inside Mill’s AI-powered plan to help restaurants stop wasting food
Mill, a startup that has raised over $232 million since its launch in 2020, is working to reduce food waste in commercial kitchens. The company has spent hundreds of hours studying restaurant operations and has developed a bin that dries and shrinks food waste for home kitchens. However, companies like Whole Foods have asked for a version of the bin for commercial use, as around a quarter of the 74 million tons of food thrown out each year in the US comes from restaurants and grocery stores. Mill's new commercial product tackles the problem from two angles, turning kitchen scraps into a lightweight material that can be used as chicken feed or compost, and using AI to analyze what's being thrown out to help kitchens make changes. The company's system uses cameras and AI to identify food scraps and provide detailed reports of what's being thrown away, allowing kitchens to make data-driven decisions to reduce waste. Mill's team has spent months researching what happens in kitchens to ensure their product is easy to use, even in hectic environments. The device is designed to be intuitive, with an ergonomic design and a user-friendly interface, and will start rolling out to customers next year. The system has the potential to significantly shrink the amount of waste that goes out the door, and Mill is working with companies like Whole Foods to incorporate the dehydrated food waste into their supply chains. By reducing food waste, Mill aims to make a significant impact on the environment, as around 10% of global emissions are attributed to food waste. The company's approach is focused on providing a win-win solution that benefits both businesses and the environment, and its team is committed to making a difference in this critical area.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91569600/mill-ai-powered-plan-eliminate-restaurant-waste fastcompany.com