I just heard about an app that allows you to save money and cut back on food waste. It’s called Too Good to Go and it syncs you up with stores and restaurants in your area that have food about to be tossed in the garbage. For a small sum, you get to save that food and bring it home with you. The app is not available in all cities (yet) but for those of you with access to this app in your area, here’s a breakdown of how everything works.
If you don’t have access to this app in your area, we’ve got grocery coupons and food promo deals. Plus, we’ve got restaurant freebies and deals you can get on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays every week.
For more smart shopping tips and savings hacks, text HACKS to 57299, and be sure to download the Krazy Coupon Lady app.
Too Good to Go works at 450 Whole Foods locations.
Too Good to Go recently announced their discounted surprise bags are now available at 450 (out of 530+ stores) Whole Foods locations across the U.S. I took Too Good to Go for a test drive at a local Whole Foods to see what I'd get. My surprise bag saved my family over $30!
I paid $10.65 for these five items that regularly would have cost me $44.08:
Paleo friendly grilled chicken breast ($11.72)
Roja salsa chicken quesadilla ($4.99)
Ginger cashew salmon salad ($10.99)
Greek tortellini pasta salad ($6.99)
Chili lime sweet potatoes ($9.39)
Here's how you can score savings like this at your local Whole Foods or other participating grocery store or restaurant.
Here’s how the Too Good to Go App works.
Get access to over 4,000 bakeries, over 4,300 restaurants, and nearly 2,000 supermarkets to get perfectly good food that’s in danger of going to waste.
1. Download the app.
It’s available in the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery. The app itself is entirely free and you only pay if you decide to order one of their Surprise Bags from a local shop.
2. Use the map to find participating locations near you.
The app’s map allows you to enter your location or use your location settings on your phone. Then you can search for restaurants and stores within a set distance from your home.
3. Order a surprise bag from the shop of your choice.
Once you’ve entered your location, you’ll find a list of stores and their Surprise Bag offerings on the Discover page. Select the bag you want and reserve a pickup time to collect your bag from the shop.
4. Pick up your Surprise Bag at the designated time.
Pop into the store at your set time and grab your bag. Enjoy your discounted food and enjoy knowing that you are playing a part in cutting down on food waste.
Related: The Free Flashfood App Can Save You 50% on Groceries
This is everything in my $4 surprise bags from Dom's Kitchen & Market.
I paid a total of $8 and received two bags. One from a local grocery, Dom’s Kitchen & Market. And one from Molly’s Cupcakes. For reference, I am in Chicago.
From Dom’s I scored just over $15 worth of food for $4.
A loaf of cinnamon bread ($6.99)
Chocolate pretzel cookie ($1.99)
Slice of apple pie ($4.59)
A bagel ($1.59)
At Molly’s, I would have spent approximately $15 on what I received in my Surprise Bag.
Four unfrosted cupcakes ($3 each)
Rice Krispies treat ($3)
I liked it for a cheap dinner meal, or if I have family over and I’m looking for easy ways to feed the group.
Related: 45+ Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free
So far, the app is in 17 cities.
The app is available nationwide, but right now it’s only operational in select larger cities and some of the surrounding areas. If you live in or near any of the following cities, Too Good to Go can save you money on your next food order.
Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Detroit, MI
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
New York (and NY metro area)
Philadelphia, PA
Portland, ME
Portland, WA
Providence, RI
Sacramento, CA
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington DC
Tell us what you think