Founded in 2020 following a tropical storm that hit Puerto Rico, the PRoduce application connects food producers directly to food consumers in an effort to conserve food and reduce waste. This application allows users to shop for a variety of locally sourced ingredients right from their phone, which was previously unavailable in Puerto Rico.
In the first few weeks after PRoduce went live, the application resulted in 10,000 plantains being saved from waste. The ecosystem of restaurants and users on this application purchased these plantains en-masse and sold them to consumers for as low as 30 cents each, resulting in all of them being sold. Crystal Díaz, the co-founder and co-CEO of PRoduce, has noted that Puerto Rico imports 85% of its food and that this application is intended to encourage chefs and cooks in the region to shop locally to improve the overall state of the food industry in Puerto Rico.
PRoduce is a large step towards organizing local food production in Puerto Rico, and Díaz strives to uphold this mission.
Puerto Rican Food Services
'PRoduce' Connects Producers Directly to Consumers to Conserve Food
Trend Themes
1. Local Food Movement - Apps like PRoduce are disrupting the traditional food industry in Puerto Rico by connecting local producers and consumers to improve sustainability.
2. Direct-to-consumer Models - PRoduce's direct-to-consumer model is challenging the traditional supply chain and creating opportunities for new market entrants.
3. Sustainable Agriculture - PRoduce is promoting sustainable agriculture by reducing waste and raising awareness about locally sourced foods.
Industry Implications
1. Food Delivery Services - Food delivery services in Puerto Rico can utilize PRoduce's platform to expand their offerings and reduce food waste.
2. Agriculture/ Farming - PRoduce creates new opportunities for farmers and encourages sustainable agriculture practices in Puerto Rico.
3. Mobile App Development - Mobile app development companies can create similar platforms to PRoduce in other regions to promote local food systems and sustainability.