FreshDirect Starts Crowdsourcing Projects

Looks like crowd-funding isn't just for the small inventors; FreshDirect has teamed up with crowd-funder RocketHub to launch a competition vaguely titled the "Next Big Food Thing."

The gist: For the month of October, innovators can submit their food-related ideas (food products, kitchen gadgets, farm equipment, artisanal foods) to RocketHub, where people can "vote" by donating to their favorite projects. On Oct. 31, a panel of judges (from Tasting Table, Coolhaus, Real Simple, etc.) will choose a group of finalists, all hosted on FreshDirect's specific page on RocketHub. And another round of funding continues.

Whoever raises the most money and has the best idea (chosen by "voters" and the judges, of course), will receive $10,000 to launch their product, and perhaps partner with FreshDirect. Two runner-ups, in the meantime, will receive $2,500.

"FreshDirect champions its direct relationships with farmers, ranchers, and fishermen and 'The Next Big Food Thing' is a continuation of FreshDirect's commitment to innovation and another opportunity to form high-quality, inventive partnerships," FreshDirect CMO John Leeman said in an email.

Of course, we're not quite sure what happens with the all the other projects; we can only hope that the innovators go through with their invention and put the money to good use. In the meantime, head over to the FreshDirect website to learn more.