A growing number of UK consumers are turning to an app designed to reduce food waste by enabling users to purchase surplus food from local retailers at discounted prices. The service, which launched in the UK a decade ago, partners with more than 40,000 outlets including supermarkets, independent food shops, and restaurants, offering “surprise bags” of unsold items at significantly reduced rates.
In a recent expansion of its reach, Marks & Spencer began participating last month, providing customers with discounted bakery product bundles across over 350 stores nationwide. The retailer’s involvement signals a shift in attitudes toward value shopping amid ongoing cost-of-living concerns, with food affordability no longer viewed as a stigma but rather a practical choice.
The app operates on a model where users reserve packages of surplus food via the platform, paying upfront and collecting the items during a specified window, typically about an hour before store closing. The unpredictability of the contents and tight pickup times can pose challenges, but the service aims primarily at addressing food waste—which accounts for an estimated 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions—rather than food insecurity.
A user trial spanning several days illustrates the experience and limitations of relying solely on the app for household meals. Commencing with a cancellation of a regular grocery order, the participant sourced a range of items from local convenience stores and restaurants, paying under £20 for products that would have retailed for over £60. The assortment included ready meals, fresh produce, snacks, and bakery items.
Meals featured combinations such as salads, ready-cooked seafood, and ready meals alongside unexpected treats like sweets and cakes from known restaurant chains. However, the unpredictability of contents sometimes resulted in an excess of certain items like lettuce, while more substantial or balanced meal components were occasionally lacking. The user noted instances where bag collection was unsuccessful due to errors, underscoring occasional logistical issues.
Another notable aspect is the necessity to consume perishable food shortly after collection, as many items are close to or past their use-by dates. Experts emphasize the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, since use-by dates indicate the limit after which food may be unsafe to consume. Despite this, the user reported eating some items beyond these dates.
The trial also highlighted convenience factors and occasional frustrations, such as the challenge of adjusting meal timing to accommodate late evening pickups and the spur-of-the-moment nature of available offers. Nevertheless, the savings on meals from popular brands and variety of foods added appeal for families coping with financial pressures.
Industry observers note that while apps like this cannot replace traditional grocery shopping for nutritional planning, they represent a meaningful step toward reducing food waste and providing affordable food options. Retailers view the service as a pragmatic approach to managing surplus stock in an environmentally and economically responsible manner.
As the food waste reduction movement gains momentum in the UK, participation from established retailers like Marks & Spencer could encourage wider adoption of such platforms. However, consumers are advised to balance convenience with food safety considerations and to be mindful of the unpredictability inherent in surprise food offers.