I read this article on Wired. It’s about the Too Good to Go app, that seeks to reduce food waste by selling surplus food from restaurants, bakeries and groceries stores. I downloaded the app and saw lots of bakeries but also mom and pop places and some groceries stores. Saw Acme bread offering surprise bag for $5.99.
I’ll post some screen captures of what the apps showed available. Stuff does sell out. I might try it, or try it with some friends for a group dinner.
This might be worthy of a Grocery Outlet like thread, but I’m not sure since it’s a daily thing, best to look in the morning.
ETA: My brother looked and saw a surprise bag at El Toro taqueria for $5.99. Given burritos now run $13, tha’ts a deal.
There are a fair number of participating restaurants, markets, and bakeries taking part in my area. In fact, I have a pick up at 6 today. Am expecting to get at least 1 baguette which I need for a picnic lunch tomorrow. I think it is a cool app.
It’s a great service. I’ve used it several times for baked goods; in fact, I have a pickup planned for later today.
You do have to be willing to take whatever they give you, though what you get will by nature vary from day to day. For example, I got one of those $5.99 Acme bags, and it mostly consisted of rolls (plus a couple of nice pastries) because they probably had more of those on hand than other items. Disappointing, but the rolls made for good sandwiches.
There are emulators (like Bluestacks) you can use on your laptop to use apps on it. (But I am not sure if you would need to carry your laptop around with wifi access to show proof if your purchase within the app (I haven’t used the app, so don’t know the different steps))
There tend to be a lot of desserts and sweets, depending on the area (plus Pete’s locations and a few other national chain accounts). Bakeries at the end of the day sometimes have a lot of product, especially mid week. I tried it for a donut shop came away with a huge bag of 18 donuts (including mochi donuts). I got a box of cupcakes, frosted and unfrosted, another time. My waistline and glucose levels said, “no more”.
It is pretty well established in parts of Europe, due to be founded in Denmark (as noted in the article). You get similar things, but sometimes better. For example, cafes will have things like leftover sandwiches and other goods, besides sweets. And yes, hotels will have extra after their breakfast service.
I do feel, though, that some of these places may just have been donating their goods to food banks and shelters (or still do,).
I stopped using it because I’d rather just order what I want. I also missed the pickup time by 5 minutes 3 times due to transit issues, so that’s money down the drain.
If you’re broke, it can be a good way to get a lot of food before a restaurant closes for the night, or day a nice bakery.
Some restaurants and bakeries are generous, and others are cheap, packaging up food that is too old or stale.
I received quite a few condiments past their best before date from one grocery store.
Another upscale spot near me packaged up really stale breadsicks in their charcuterie platter and I suspect the salami was a little too old.
It’s possible to check ratings on the various places.
It’s also possible to sort out carbs , if you don’t want to end up with a lot of baked goods.
The Lebanese restaurant near me clears out what they have left at the end of the night. Pizzerias do this, too.
Here’s my haul from pick up at Fresh Baguette, a couple of blocks from my house: baguette, whole grain loaf, savory pastry thing that appears to have ham inside.
5.99. They were probably baked last night so last 24 hrs. I snag a pick up from them every few weeks and have never had a bad item. Spouse was sad that there wasn’t a chocolate croissant this time.
My haul today from As Kneaded Bakery (they said they threw in some extras): a large round focaccia, an entire blueberry coffee cake, a Bostock, and a muffin. I’m pretty sure everything was baked today. Cost was $5.99 for nearly $32 worth of product.
