I install few apps on my phone or tablet, not trusting how intrusively nosey and tracking they can be. But a few exceptions are notable, one being Too Good to Go. The Wilcox family uses the app almost daily now, for finding good food made available at substantial discount.
The stuff might otherwise be trashed, particularly because of local regulations that restrict fresh, produced goods’ salability after set time period. Freshness is another consideration. Both could apply to baked goods, such as bagels or donuts. Over-production is an additional factor. Maybe the pizzeria has too many slices leftover at the end of day.
The Too Good to Go platform enables businesses to offer excess food in surprise bags. These loss-leaders recover revenue from food that might otherwise be destroyed. They also might generate new customers and sales from people picking up surprise bags.
What deals are there? I will stick to two examples, from the last couple days. My daughter managed to snag a Meat Bag from Whole Foods for $9.99. Inside: Three one-pound packages of ground organic turkey breast. Honestly, I didn’t see the value in what she got until I looked at what the grocer sells this particular brand and size for: $10.99 a package. From that perspective, she made out like a bandit. Oh, and coincidentally, while I write she eats spaghetti which sauce was made from one of packages of meat.
The second example brings us to the Featured Image, which I captured today using Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. I paid $9.87, including packaging fee and sales tax, for two 5-inch savory pies from Pop Pie here in University Heights: Green Hog & Cheese and Roasted Veggies & Yellow Curry, which normally sell for $12.50 and $11.50, respectively. I ate the Hog (e.g., sliced pork) for supper tonight.
Deals vary. You can never be sure what’s the booty until you open the bag. We’ve had a few disappointments but for the most part satisfaction.
In closing, let me explain what the retailers get from my family. We rarely eat out. Home-cooked is tastier and more cheaply made. But, Too Good to Go gives incentive to buy from the places we otherwise never would. Hey, just saying.