With rising food prices placing greater strain on household budgets, many consumers are turning to alternative methods to reduce their grocery expenses. One increasingly popular option in the UK is the food-waste app Too Good To Go, which connects shoppers with restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and supermarkets offering surplus food at significantly discounted prices.

The app works by allowing users to purchase “surprise bags” of unsold food at rates often ranging from 50 to 70 percent less than regular shelf value. However, the exact contents of each bag are unknown until collection, and pick-up times typically fall later in the day, which may not align with standard mealtimes.

Over a series of ten visits to various establishments across London, users reported varying experiences in the quantity, quality, and value of the food received. In one instance at a local cafe, an assortment including grilled cheese toasties, a chicken and bacon Caesar wrap, sandwiches, and a banana nut loaf cake, with a retail value of £30.45, was purchased for £4.50. Conversely, a visit to an Asda store resulted in a more modest saving when surplus goods were unavailable; the shopper was permitted to select a single item priced under £5, ending up with a 400g pack of chicken for £3.40, saving only £1.37.

Other participants described mixed outcomes, ranging from satisfying variety, such as sweet baked goods and savory snacks from a bakery, to less convenient combinations like lasagne paired with portions of Indian takeaway rice and salads. Some collection windows presented challenges; certain outlets restricted pick-up times to narrow or late-night slots, which may not suit all consumers’ schedules.

Among the most notable savings reported was at Aldi, where a combination of sandwiches and multiple packs of frozen meat and fish, valued at nearly £29, was acquired for just £3.30. Similarly, a meal from Pizza Express, including a Margherita pizza, dough balls, and dessert worth almost £32, was purchased for under £5, though the late evening collection time was less than ideal. A takeaway bowl from a Greenwich-based Mexican restaurant was also highlighted for providing a complete meal at a discounted price, despite a brief ten-minute collection window late at night.

Across all trials, the combined retail value of the food collected reached over £200 while the total amount spent was slightly above £45, resulting in an average savings rate of approximately 78 percent. This demonstrates the app’s potential as a cost-saving tool, particularly for consumers willing to accept unpredictability in contents and collection times.

Experts note that with the average UK household spending about £119 weekly on food, tools like Too Good To Go offer a creative way to reduce waste and expenses simultaneously. Users considering the app are advised to monitor collection windows carefully and manage expectations regarding the variety and timing of available products.