With food prices rising, apps like Too Good to Go and Flashfood are helping shoppers save money while cutting waste.
Too Good to Go offers "surprise bags" of food at more than 50% off. The app operates in 62 U.S. cities and has saved users over $458 million. Users don't know what's inside until pickup, but the value is guaranteed.
Matt Hall, 25, from Durham, N.C., uses the app for Whole Foods surprise bags. He paid $9.99 for a meat bag worth $30, getting 5 pounds of chicken. He freezes what he doesn't cook and makes meals like chicken quesadillas and burrito bowls.
Whole Foods offers bags from $6.99 (produce) to $9.99 (seafood) that contain items near their sell-by date. The program is part of the retailer's waste reduction strategy, alongside donations and composting.
Christophe Roberts, owner of Seed Brklyn in New York City, uses Too Good to Go to sell unsold baked goods at a discount, attracting new customers and reducing waste.
Flashfood lets shoppers choose specific surplus items from grocery partners at up to 50% off. The Canadian-based app works with over 2,000 stores in 28 states, including Kroger.
"By partnering with Flashfood, we’re giving customers another way to save on the groceries they need while ensuring more food is used for its intended purpose - feeding families," said Kate Mora, president of Kroger Mid-Atlantic.
CEO Jordan Schenck says demand surged after the pandemic as inflation pushed more shoppers to seek bargains. Flashfood's approach helps divert food from landfills, addressing the global issue of 40% of food being wasted.