There is no rational, fiscal explanation for the joy I experience when I get in a Lyft with free snacks. “Free snacks!” I exclaim, in the same tone I use to shout “horses!” when I’m in a car that passes by horses. The gum or mints or candy aren’t a huge windfall, but their unexpected presence is sure to earn the driver a 5-star rating in my book—unless they accelerate erratically, can’t navigate for shit, or still have that Gotye song on their driving playlist.
A new startup called Cargo recognizes that not only do ride-share passengers like me love these freebies, but we’re a captive audience. Forbes reports the company just received $5.5 million in investments to get their Cargo boxes into ride-sharing vehicles. The items will mostly remain free, with companies offering the free samples to Cargo to gain exposure, but customers can also purchase larger items like a device-charging cord. Cargo describes the service to Forbes as “arm’s-length convenience.” For their part, drivers earn a $1 commission per order and a 25 percent cut of sales.
The roster of potential goodies in a Cargo box is impressive: Pringles, Skittles, Advil, a Korean skincare sheet mask (be still my heart). And because Cargo uses ride-sharing apps’ driver API, it can see their driving habits and customize boxes to drivers’ patterns: more salty snacks for late-night rides, say, or more tech gadgets for the commuter crowd. It all got me thinking of my dream in-car goodies box; read my suggestions below, Cargo, and feel free to share any portion of that $5.5 mil in return.
Orbit gum, mint flavors only
La Croix—no coconutSunscreen packets for us pastiesReese’s peanut butter cupsTide To Go pens, for Reese’s triageTampons, with and without applicators (ladies have preferences, k?)Mini nail files
Emergen-C packetsHalf-slab of Domino’s Stuffed Cheesy Bread—wait, is that too much to ask?










