We've already written on two separate occasions about GoMobo and its service enabling food ordering via text message. Always happy to see a good idea spread, we were recently pleased to note that the company has signed on sandwich chain Subway for text ordering in New York City.

Users of Subway Now begin by entering their address online to find the Subway shop nearest them. They then create and save their favourite orders, each of which is assigned a number. To order by text message, they simply text the word "menu" to Subway's shortcode, and the service sends back a list of their favourites. They reply with the number they want, and Subway Now responds with a text confirmation and pickup time. All orders are paid via credit card information saved on the Subway Now site, so customers can skip the line entirely when they pick up their food, and the service itself is free.

With the time savings and VIP treatment for customers and the reportedly increased order sizes for restaurants, it's no wonder this trend is going strong. Which major chain will be next....?

Website: www.subwaynow.com
Contact: support@subwaynow.com

Spotted by: Bjarke Svendsen

When consumers order diet soda, they can usually tell by the first sip if they got what they ordered. Not so decaf drinks, which tend to taste much the same as their fully caffeinated counterparts. Thanks to a new innovation much like a home pregnancy test, however, decaf drinkers can now test for themselves whether they're getting more than they ordered.

DiscoverTesting.com's D+caf Test Strip quickly and easily determines whether coffee is really decaf. Consumers simply remove a small sample from their beverage before adding cream or other additives—half a teaspoon is enough, the company says. (The strips must not be used on the part of the beverage that will be consumed, product instructions warn.) They then dip the strip into their sample and hold it there for 5 seconds. Within 60 seconds, the strip indicates via the relative darkness of two adjacent lines whether the drink is truly decaf, with less than 20 mg caffeine per 6 oz. serving. The strips also work on tea and cold drinks, but unfortunately not on latte, cappuccino or other milk-based beverages, which will limit its reach. DiscoverTesting.com, which is part of California-based Silver Lake Research, sells the tests in kits of 20 single-use strips for USD 9.95.

As many as 30 percent of decaf coffees ordered at coffee houses and restaurants contain unacceptably high levels of caffeine, the company says—which means countless consumers are getting more of a jolt than they realize. One to resell in your neck of the overcaffeinated woods....?

Website: www.discovertesting.com
Contact: info@silverlakeresearch.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Commodity prices may be dropping at the moment, but with recent spikes in food prices around the globe, it's no wonder consumers are showing new interest in growing their own. For those not fortunate enough to have a garden, a new UK initiative seeks to match would-be gardeners with landowners willing to share their arable land.

Seeking to provide an alternative to the UK's already oversubscribed land-allotment lists, the Landshare campaign—which is being promoted by TV host Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on his Channel 4 series River Cottage—aims instead to convert underused land back into productive use for growing fresh fruit and vegetables. The project's site currently asks potential participants to register their interest in anticipation of a launch early this year. Visitors can register as a Grower, Landowner, Land-spotter—someone who knows of some unused land—or Facilitator, who wants to help elderly gardeners and others in need of assistance. A mapping function is coming soon to help pinpoint gardeners and plots of land.

We've already written about several initiatives that use permaculture and expertise to make the most of suburban farms. Next, how about sponsoring an effort that combines such ideas with one like Landshare, to ensure every last scrap of arable land gets used to its fullest? Now *that* could be a recession-proof plan.... (Related: Boosting suburban farms — Homegrown vegetables, no green thumb needed — More homegrown veggies without the sweat.)

Website: www.landshare.net
Contact: help.channel4.com

Spotted by: Marko Balabanovic

As the inauguration of Barack Obama draws nearer, global fascination with the US president-elect is reaching a fever pitch. To wit: across the Atlantic, doughnut purveyor Krispy Kreme UK this week is giving out free Americano coffees emblazoned with Obama's image.

To take advantage of the promotion, which runs through Friday, customers need only enter a participating Krispy Kreme UK shop and say, "Yes we can" to its barista. They'll then walk away with a free Americano coffee sporting Obama's image in the foam—created using an intricately designed coffee stencil made specially for the occasion. Most Krispy Kreme UK stores are participating, with the exception of those at the major airports and in Waterloo.

As the world watches the changing of the guard in the United States, it's probably safe to say the majority view it as a change for the better. What better way to celebrate than with a shot of sympvertising in some strong, hot free love...? ;-)

Correction: the coffee art won’t be available on Americanos in-store as the art created is a one-off to highlight the campaign. Customers can claim their free Americano until Friday but unfortunately it won’t have Obama’s face on it.

Website: www.krispykreme.co.uk
Contact: office@krispykreme.co.uk

The waste associated with kids' school lunches is something we've noted before, particularly when we covered Kids Konserve's reusable lunch kits last year. Zeroing in on paper napkins—USD 200 of which the average kid uses each year—North Carolina-based Happikins recently launched an eye-pleasing line of reusable lunch box napkins.

Available in packages of five, Happikins are 12-by-12-inch cotton or cotton-blend napkins featuring kid-friendly colours and designs. Each set comes with a durable pouch that fits neatly in a lunch box and can even be written on with a dry-erase marker to send little messages to the kids who use them. Both the napkins and the pouch are machine-washable, and Happikins can even be monogrammed. Sets include designs on the themes of "Critters and Creatures," "League of Sports" and "Sugar and Spice." Pricing begins at USD 29.95 per set of five. Bulk orders for "Clean Cafeteria" and fundraising programs are also available.

And so another bit of waste bites the dust, thanks to some green, and eco-iconic, innovation. Coming soon to a lunch box near you! ;-) (Related: Happy healthy meals.)

Website: www.happikins.com
Contact: info@happikins.com

Spotted by: Andy Louis-Charles