The Too Good To Go app is designed to prevent food waste, something we can all support. Nearly 27 tonnes of food are wasted in the UK every single day. If we could avoid a fraction of that food waste, it would really help the environment. Food waste ends up in landfills, and landfills are one of the biggest producers of greenhouse gases. That’s not even considering the costs of producing and transporting food that is only destined for the bin.
Restaurants, shops, and supermarkets often have unsold food at the end of the day. While some of this food is donated to charities, a lot still gets thrown away. That’s where Too Good To Go comes in. It’s designed to stop that food from going to waste, and you can get some fantastic deals on the app.
What is Too Good To Go?
Too Good To Go connects users with local businesses that have surplus food. The businesses on the app include restaurants, cafes, bakeries, supermarkets and grocery stores. Surplus food is put into surprise bags, which you can buy from the app at a low price. You don’t know precisely what is inside the bag until you pick it up, so it’s like a mystery bag. Some bags offer great value for money – others not so much. It’s the luck of the draw as to what you get, but whatever it is, you will have stopped it from ending up in the waste.
How Does The Too Good To Go App Work?
Download the App: The app is free on iOS and Android devices. Search for “Too Good To Go” in your app store and install it.
Set Your Location: Enter your postcode to find participating businesses near you. The app works best if you live in a city with plenty of food businesses, as there will be more to choose from.
Browse and Buy: Browse the list of available “Surprise Bags.” Each listing provides a general idea of what you might get, such as bakery items, restaurant meals, or produce, but the contents will be a surprise until you pick it up.
Pick Up Your Surprise Bag: After buying a bag through the app, you’ll be given a time window to pick it up. When you get to the store, show your receipt on the app and collect your food.
Why Too Good To Go Is Great
Reduces Food Waste
This is the biggest attraction of the app. To date, Too Good To Go has saved over 200 million meals from going to waste.
Saves Money
Too Good To Go can save you money. You can get high-quality food for up to 70% off the regular price. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy meals from your favourite restaurants or discover new places without spending a fortune.
Supports Local Businesses
The app helps local businesses manage their surplus food more effectively, reducing waste and helping them find new customers. When you buy through Too Good To Go, you’re supporting your local retailers.
Discover New Foods
Surprise bags are fun; you never know what you will get. You might discover new dishes or treats you wouldn’t have tried otherwise. It’s a great way to try something different.
User Ratings
Users can rate their surprise bags, so retailers who provide poor-quality bags or try to offload bad produce get weeded out quite quickly. Remember, though, that ratings are subjective, so what one person sees as value for money, someone else might view as a rip-off.
Too Good To Go – The Not So Great
Some Retailers Give A Bad Deal
Some retailers on the app offer poor value for money. Others put together bags that no one is likely to be able to use in time, so they end up getting thrown away anyway.
Have to Pick Up Within A Narrow Window
You risk losing your surprise bag if you miss your pick-up window.
Demand Is Very High
Depending on the retailer, bags can sell out very fast, so you need to be quick to grab your favourites.
Our Verdict on Too Good To Go
We tried it and we loved it. The businesses in this area are mainly bakeries and supermarkets but they do offer some great value for money. We’d love to see more restaurants come on board. There are restaurants a few miles away but travelling for pick up is counter productive when you add on fuel and time.
We think Too Good To Go is a brilliant concept, and we know some people have had amazing value for money from it. One person had nearly £50 worth of food for less than £7! Anything that helps less food go to waste has to be a good thing, and whilst some users do grumble at the odd retailer offering poor-value bags, for the most part, Too Good To Go is great.
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