Who doesn’t love a good deal on food? As a thrifty shopper, I’m constantly exploring ways to save money while maximizing value. I treat it like a fun challenge that allows me to pick and choose how I want to spend my money. After all, what we spend our money on is a reflection of our values. And in my pursuit of a more intentional lifestyle, I’ve discovered Too Good To Go, an innovative platform that helps me save money and rescue good food from going to waste.
What is Too Good To Go?
Too Good To Go, a certified B corporation social impact company, actively works to reduce food waste worldwide. This app-based service is currently active in 19 countries, including the United States. It connects users like me to local retailers offering steep discounts on unsold food.
Participating retailers include restaurants, grocery stores, cafes, bakeries, and convenience stores. They sell surprise bags containing a variety of surplus food, with prices ranging from $3.99 to $9.99.
Customers won’t know exactly what they’re purchasing, though some bags are labeled with categories like pastries or prepared foods, giving customers a hint about what they might receive.
Popular metropolitan areas feature numerous partners, but rural regions have a more limited selection. For example, metro Atlanta offers more than 100 participating retailers, giving customers a wide range of options to cut food costs and minimize waste.
How does it work?
Downloading and using the app is pretty straightforward. Once you’ve installed it on your mobile device, you can create an account and start exploring nearby options. It’s like browsing an online store, picking out what you want, and placing an order for a later pickup. Nice and easy!
The Too Good To Go App
- Download the app:
Visit the App Store or Google Play Store to find and download ‘Too Good To Go’ on your mobile device.
- Create an account:
Open the app to set up your account.
- Explore nearby options:
Allow the app to access your location so you can view the participating retailers in your area. I like to use the ‘Map’ view to get the full picture of what’s available!
- Browse surprise bags:
Select specific retailers to check out the available surprise bags, which will list the potential contents, price, and pickup timeframe. You can use the ‘Filters’ to specify a pickup day of that day or the next, as well as a pickup time. You also have the option to select a ‘Surprise Bag’ type, such as groceries, meals, etc.
- Check reviews:
I like to check reviews to get an idea of what to expect from the overall experience. Too Good To Go doesn’t provide full reviews, but they do offer star ratings from other customers. For more detailed insights, I also look into reviews on Yelp, Google, and Reddit.
- Place your order:
Once you’ve found a bag you like, tap to order and complete your payment through the app.
- Pick up your food:
Head to the retailer during the designated pickup window. Once your pickup time starts, the app will provide any specific instructions, such as where to go for your pickup. When you arrive, you select ‘Tap to Pickup’ on the app. To complete your pickup, the cashier or retail partner will swipe the in-app slider on your device, or they will have you do it in front of them, as proof of pickup. Note that you shouldn’t swipe the slider on your own before picking up your bag.
- Enjoy and rate your surprise:
Open your surprise bag and enjoy! Don’t forget to rate your experience in the app. Even though the reviews aren’t public, your feedback helps Too Good To Go and their partners improve and create better experiences.
My Too Good To Go Experience
Brian and I have purchased surprise bags from Whole Foods Market, a doughnut shop, a sushi restaurant, and an Indian restaurant. Each time, we’ve been surprised by the quality and variety of the food we received. The bags have been filled with delicious items that have been well worth the money spent.
For $6.99, the Whole Foods Bakery Bag included over $30 worth of cookies, bread, and pastries. In addition to our Whole Foods haul, we got a tasty assortment of fresh sushi rolls and nigiri for $6.99. It offered great value and was a nice way to enjoy sushi without the high price tag.
As for the doughnuts, they were an excellent value at a dozen for $5.99. Of course, the trick is to enjoy them over the course of several days. That way, we could enjoy a sweet treat without overindulging too much. We might be tempted to grab more next time, but we’ll have to be mindful not to go overboard!
Our purchase from a local Indian restaurant surprised us the most; the restaurant gifted us two extra bags! We spent $6.99 and received three surprise bags. Inside, we found scrumptious containers of basmati rice, baigan bharta, chicken tikka masala, and saag tofu. Of course, the extra bags were definitely a fluke and won’t happen every single time. They were a very nice surprise, nonetheless! With just one bag, I’d find the price fair but not amazing for essentially a lunch portion.
Overall, each purchase has led to a positive and rewarding experience. You may know that Brian and I don’t make a habit of dining out, so using Too Good To Go adds a fun twist to our meals and allows us to enjoy restaurant-quality eats at home. Not only do we save money, but we’re also saving good food from being wasted! It’s a win-win experience!
Good-to-knows for Too Good To Go
For anyone looking to get the best out of Too Good To Go, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
Check Frequently:
Surprise bags can sell out quickly, especially from popular retailers. Check the app regularly to snag the best deals.
Read Reviews:
If you’re not a fan of risk, consider the star ratings of participating retailers. I haven’t ordered anything with a rating below 4.7 out of 5, and I’ve been happy with all of my experiences. For further insight into a partner’s offerings and reputation, take some time to read reviews on Yelp and Google.
Be Open-Minded:
Your purchase is a surprise, after all. Too Good To Go is not for picky eaters or those with allergies. You get what you get!
Explore Different Cuisines:
Try surprise bags from different places. You might discover new flavors and favorites that you wouldn’t typically order.
Use the Map Feature:
Take advantage of the app’s map feature to locate nearby participating retailers. This helps you discover new places without having to scroll through a long list. Using the map is also incredibly helpful while traveling. It allows you to easily reduce food waste and find deals around you, even in unfamiliar areas.
Ask a Friend:
If you’re unable to make the pickup time, you can request a friend to pick up your order. After making a purchase, you can select ‘Ask a Friend’ in the app to send them an invitation link. They’ll need to download the app to accept the link for pickup.
Is it worth it?
Too Good To Go has been worthwhile for us. Thanks to this app, the variety and quality of the food we receive allow us to enjoy multiple meals, cheap date nights, and rescuing perfectly good food for a low cost. While I would prefer to buy discounted surplus food directly from partners, not many restaurants are set up to handle the logistics of selling leftovers directly to customers.
Too Good To Go simplifies this process by managing the logistics, allowing retailers to focus on what they do best. By using this app, both customers and retailers can connect easily and efficiently, ensuring that good food doesn’t go to waste!
Have you given Too Good To Go a shot? If so, share your favorite surprise bags or tips below!
