We all know that food waste is a massive issue worldwide. There’s more than enough food to go around, but waste means that one-third of the 4 billion tonnes of food produced each year isn’t used. Not only does this cost the global economy nearly £530 billion annually, it means that large percentages of the world aren’t getting access to the nutrition they need.
Since we can remember, this has been a massive problem – but it’s only now that we’re starting to hear real, tangible solutions.
The Too Good To Go app is an anti-waste initiative that allows you to buy the food from restaurants, cafes and shops that would otherwise be thrown out at the end of the day, purely because it wasn’t sold on time.
In the UK, it’s reported that consumers throw away 10 million tonnes of food every year - and many millions of tonnes of that food could have been eaten. That shocking statistic costs the average UK family £700 a year and equates to six meals a week. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) points out that if we tackled the problem of food waste, we could feed 9 billion people a day.
Too Good to Go saw this disconnect between industry food waste and the consumer and decided to connect the dots with this amazing and easy-to-use app. It’s designed to show you what shops and restaurants in your area are connected with the app, and then you can reserve a ‘Magic Bag’ from the food outlet of your choosing. You won’t know exactly what’s in your order until you pick it up - it’s all part of the surprise! Users get delicious meals at a great price, businesses reach new customers and recover sunk costs, and the planet has less wasted food to deal with - it’s a win-win-win.
‘At Too Good To Go, we believe that sustainable options should be easy and fun.’ Their website shares. ‘They should make the planet a happier place, and they should be accessible to everyone. We also believe that, despite how big and complicated it is, food waste is a problem we can solve together. That’s why we’re working with changemakers across society - from politicians to school children - to drive a movement that puts an end to the world’s most senseless problem.
‘By saving meals through Too Good To Go, you’re powering the force for change. A planet with no food waste is a better place to be. And together, we can make it happen.’
The app has officially launched in Dublin, connecting you with several of your faves, including Alma, Little Italy and Camden Street’s A Taste of Spain! You and other customers can rescue their food at the end of the day in an exciting Surprise Bag for a fraction of the price, meaning dinner is sorted! This is the perfect opportunity for you to discover new eateries as well as nabbing delicious food from some of your favourite Dublin spots, and all while doing a good deed for the climate. It is a win-win-win: for you, your favourite restaurant and the environment!
The app is already taking off, with 7.1 million people finding and saving delicious food, 16,473 businesses reducing their food waste and 7.9 million Magic Bags rescued so far!
Check out their app here to download and start reducing food waste now!
