Reusable Food Containers Now Available to Rent

Published in Spring 2023 GreenLeaf Quarterly Newsletter

GreenStar Food Co+op is partnering with Dish Truck, the locally-owned business known for helping to replace disposable partyware at area events by providing reusable dishes and dishwashing services, on a pilot program that offers a reusable container rental option to GreenStar customers.

While customers are permitted to bring their own containers for bulk foods, safety regulations do not allow for personal containers brought from home to be used for GreenStar’s hot bar, salad bar, and soup station. For a $1.00 per container rental fee paid to Dish Truck, GreenStar customers can use Dish Truck’s U-Konserve containers for GreenStar’s self-serve food stations.

Dish Truck owner Joey Diana Gates initially approached GreenStar with the concept and worked to source the containers and develop the necessary technology with an app developer.

“This system provides a safe and sanitary, hassle-free way to reduce single-use dishes and continue the shift towards more circular economy solutions to the waste stream,” Gates said.

Dish Truck’s branded U-Konserve containers are metal with a silicone lid and are available in 9 oz. and 16 oz. rounds and 15 oz. and 30 oz. squares. Find clean, ready-to-use containers and the return receptacle in the Cascadilla store dining area. Dish Truck will pick up used containers on a regular basis to thoroughly clean and sanitize them in a licensed kitchen and return the containers for re-use. Customers will receive an emailed invoice from Dish Truck at the end of the month for their container rentals. Just return the container within 30 days of rental to avoid a $20 replacement fee.

For questions, assistance, or comments, contact Dish Truck at solkitchen1@gmail.com

How Does It Work?

Step 1

Go to https://app.dishtruck.org  Login with your existing Google or Apple account.

Step 2

Select “Get a Dish” from the menu at top left corner.

Step 3

Fill dish with food from any of GreenStar’s self-serve food stations and make your purchase at the register. Confirm with the cashier the number of containers you’re checking out on the app.

Step 4

Return your empty and rinsed container to the Dish Truck receptacle at GreenStar’s 770 Cascadilla store dining area. Complete your return in the app.