TooGooTo Go Review: What’s in the Suprise Bag?
If you want to reduce your food waste and save money simultaneously, TooGoodToGo could be the answer. TooGoodToGo is a food waste app that allows users to purchase surplus food at a discounted price from restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and grocery stores. But what is in the TooGoodToGo Surprise Bag?
As someone who is passionate about reducing food waste, I was excited to try out the TooGoodToGo app. I first learned about the app a few years ago and used it while living in San Francisco, where I was amazed by the variety of options available, from small cafes to larger grocery stores. It was a great feeling to know that I was saving money and contributing to a more sustainable food system.
After moving to Madrid, I was pleasantly surprised that TooGoodToGo was also available in Europe. I quickly downloaded the app and was excited to see the different cuisine and stores available.
Like the US, Spain also has a significant issue with food waste, with approximately 8 million tons of food wasted annually. Trying new foods and supporting local businesses while reducing waste has become a regular part of my routine, thanks to TooGoodToGo. The app has not only allowed me to save money on food, but it has also helped me to become more mindful of the impact of my food choices on the environment.
But, is TooGoodToGo work it? Let’s take a closer look!
IN THIS ARTICLE
What is TooGoodToGo App
The TooGoodToGo app is a game-changer in the world of food waste reduction. It's a mobile application that connects users with local businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and grocery stores that have surplus food available. This surplus food would otherwise end up in landfills, contributing to the alarming global food waste crisis. The app enables users to purchase a Surprise Bag of unsold food from these businesses at a reduced price, creating a win-win situation for both the businesses and the consumers.
Founded in Denmark in 2015, TooGoodToGo has grown rapidly and is now available in over 16 countries worldwide. The app has become popular for people looking to save money on high-quality food while reducing their environmental impact. With over 30 million users globally, TooGoodToGo has successfully raised awareness about food waste and provided a practical solution for individuals to make a positive impact.
The app's success can be attributed to its ease of use and convenience. With just a few clicks, users can browse the available options in their area, purchase a Surprise Bag, and pick it up at a designated time and location. The Surprise Bag contents depend on what the store has available at the time, adding an element of surprise and excitement to the experience.
How Does TooGoodToGo Work?
TooGoodToGo is an app that aims to reduce food waste by partnering with local businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and grocery stores to offer unsold food at a discounted price. The app operates on a simple concept: users can download the app, select their preferred store, and purchase a Surprise Bag. The contents of the bag are a surprise and depend on what the store has available.
Once the user has purchased a Surprise Bag ($4.99) or a Surprise Meal ($3.99), they can collect their food at a designated time and location. The pick-up time is typically in the late afternoon or evening after the store has closed for the day or shortly before closing time. Users are encouraged to be flexible with their pick-up time, as some stores may have limited availability.
One of the benefits of the TooGoodToGo app is that it allows businesses to reduce their food waste while generating revenue. Rather than throwing away unsold food at the end of the day, businesses can sell it to TooGoodToGo users at a discounted price. This not only helps to reduce waste but also contributes to a more sustainable food system.
The contents of the Surprise Bag vary depending on the store and the time of day. For example, a bakery may include a mix of croissants, scones, bagels, bread, cakes, and pastries in its Surprise Bag, while a grocery store may include fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products, meat and poultry, canned goods, and snacks. Some stores may also include prepared meals, appetizers, salads, sides, and desserts in their Surprise Bag.
It's worth noting that the contents of the Surprise Bag depend entirely on what the store has available at the time. Therefore, there are no guarantees on what you'll receive. However, many users report receiving high-quality food and getting great value for money.
TooGoodToGo Review: What's in the Surprise Bag?
One of the most exciting aspects of the TooGoodToGo app is the Surprise Bag. The contents of the bag can vary significantly depending on the store and the time of day, but here are some examples of what you might find in your Surprise Bag:
Bakery Surprise Bag
Croissants
Scones
Bagels
Bread
Cakes
Pastries
Grocery Store Surprise Bag
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Dairy products
Meat and poultry
Bread
Canned goods
Snacks
Restaurant Surprise Bag
Main courses
Appetizers
Salads
Sides
Desserts
It's worth noting that the bag's contents are entirely dependent on what the store has available at the time, and there are no guarantees on what you'll receive. However, many users report receiving high-quality food and getting great value for money.
Is TooGoodToGo Worth It?
Now that we've covered what's in the Surprise Bag, let's talk about whether the app is worth using. The short answer is yes, especially if you want to reduce food waste and save money. TooGoodToGo offers a win-win situation for both consumers and businesses. Consumers can purchase high-quality food at a discounted price, while businesses can reduce food waste and increase revenue.
After using the TooGoodToGo app in both San Francisco and Madrid, it is definitely worth using, but with some caveats. The app offers an excellent opportunity to reduce food waste and save money, but managing your expectations and being aware of the limitations is important.
In San Francisco, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of options available on the app. There was always something new to try, from local cafes to grocery stores. One of my favorite experiences was purchasing a Surprise Bag from a small bakery and discovering a selection of freshly baked pastries and bread and a Suprise Meal from a local Middle Eastern restaurant where I enjoyed a delicious meal. It was a great feeling to know I was supporting a local business while contributing to a more sustainable food system.
However, my experience with TooGoodToGo in Madrid was more mixed. While many options were available on the app, some stores confused the Surprise Bag with a Surprise Meal. Instead of receiving a selection of items, I was given a pre-determined meal that wasn't always worth the cost, especially when I had purchased a Surprise Bag. This wasn’t an isolated instance with one restaurant but several occasions with that restaurant and others. Additionally, I found that some stores were less organized and didn't always have the bag ready for pickup at the designated time. The restaurants that I did have a fabulous experience, indeed, provided plenty of food from the Suprise Bag purchase.
Despite these negatives, I still believe that TooGoodToGo is worth using in Madrid, as it offers a great opportunity to try new foods and support local businesses. It's important to research and look at the star ratings, and look on the /r/TooGoodToGo sub-Reddit for the reviews before purchasing a bag to ensure you're getting the best value for your money.
Overall, I highly recommend giving TooGoodToGo a try, as it offers a unique and exciting way to reduce food waste and save money. Just be aware of the limitations and manage your expectations, and you'll have a great experience.
Pros and Cons of Too Good To Go
Pros:
Affordability: The biggest advantage of the Too Good To Go app is the cost. The price of the Surprise Bag tends to be $3.99 to $4.99, offering significant savings compared to regular prices. This is especially true if you choose bags from your favorite brands that you already visit regularly.
Wide variety of brands: The app has a good selection of brands, including cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores. This makes finding a bag that suits your preferences and needs easy.
Encourages creativity in cooking: Receiving a mystery bag of goods challenges you to create something different and can also encourage you and your family to try new foods.
Cons:
No choice of items: The biggest disadvantage of Too Good To Go is the lack of control over what you receive in your Surprise Bag. The items can be random; if you don't like them, you've wasted money instead of saving it.
Difficulty in creating a meal: Sometimes, the selection of items can be challenging to create a meal from. You may need to combine the items with other things to create a meal.
Allergies: As you cannot know what is in the bag, this could be problematic if you have specific dietary requirements or allergies.
Limited vegetarian options: Although there is a section offering vegetarian options, it may not have as many choices as the broader options.
Shelf life: The food in the bag is often close to or beyond its best-before date, so you need to use it up quickly or freeze it. For "use by" dates, you need to be more cautious.
Too Good To Go is an excellent way to save money, reduce food waste, and try new things. However, it's essential to be aware of the limitations and manage your expectations, as you may not always get what you want or need. If you're willing to take a chance and try new things, the app is worth trying out.
Final Thoughts: Try TooGoodToGo Today
TooGoodToGo is an app that offers a unique solution to reducing food waste and saving money. By purchasing a Surprise Bag, you get a selection of goods that would otherwise go to waste, and you can try new foods and cuisines that you may not have tried otherwise.
One of the best things about TooGoodToGo is the ease of use. The app is straightforward to navigate, and purchasing a bag quickly and easily. You can even set up notifications to alert you when new bags become available in your area.
Another advantage of TooGoodToGo is the environmental impact it has. By reducing food waste, we're helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions and conserve resources. Plus, supporting local businesses through the app helps to build a more sustainable and resilient local economy.
While there are some limitations to using TooGoodToGo, such as the lack of control over what you receive and the limited shelf life of the food, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. It's an excellent way to try new foods, support local businesses, and positively impact the environment.
So why not try TooGoodToGo today and see what surprises are in store for you? You may discover a new favorite restaurant, try a cuisine you've never experienced, or save money on regular food purchases. It's a win-win situation that everyone can benefit from, so download the app and start reducing your food waste today!
Sources:
TooGoodToGo website: https://toogoodtogo.com/en
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-wasted-food-home
San Francisco Department of the Environment website: https://sfenvironment.org/zero-waste
Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/elenaberezovsky/2021/02/10/toogoodtogo-app-how-this-surprise-bag-app-is-reducing-food-waste/?sh=2404b4ea2034
The Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/05/app-toogoodtogo-fight-food-waste
Too Good To Go Blog: https://blog.toogoodtogo.com/en/
Statista report: https://www.statista.com/topics/6132/food-waste/
USDA website: https://www.usda.gov/foodwaste/faqs
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) website: https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/the-food-we-waste
The Balance Small Business article: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/food-waste-facts-4164341