Some deals from Collingwood businesses are just too good to pass up.
The Too Good to Go app was originally launched in Bruce, Grey and Simcoe regions in 2023, and since then the app has brought in $240,000 for local businesses across the region, while bringing in $700,000 in savings for customers through their deals.
And with a trade war looming and food prices expected to soar, the app is a fresh way for consumers to rescue food from landfills while also saving money.
“We know that with rising prices, everyone is looking for a solution to this that doesn’t require us to make massive government or systemic change,” said Sarah Soteroff, spokesperson for Too Good To Go, in an interview.
“Because we can’t control prices at the grocery store, we want people to feel empowered to make decisions on the individual level,” she said.
Touted on the Too Good to Go website as the world’s largest marketplace for surplus food, the app offers deals on mystery boxes or bags from local businesses for same-day pick-up. Boxes and bags are marked only generally with the type of food contained inside, for example they might be labelled as a baked goods box, produce bag or deli surprise bag, and are typically marked at least 50 per cent off or more from the retail price.
Collingwood businesses included on the Too Good to Go app so far include Gordon's Market and Cafe, Fruit Obsession, as well as Collingwood’s Metro, Tim Hortons and Circle K. Users with accounts can add favourite restaurants to their account to be notified if they’re selling off boxes or bags that day.
The app, which is available across the U.S., Canada and beyond, was founded in 2016 in Copenhagen and currently has 100 million registered users across the world. It first came to Ontario in 2021. Since then, Soteroff said Ontario businesses have earned $38 million, while helping consumers save $109 million on food items.
“Our goal is to be everywhere,” she said.
Soteroff said in addition to saving money for consumers who buy the bags and boxes, the app is also always looking for new food-based businesses to join up.
“We allow businesses to put food on the app when they have it, and take it off when they don’t,” she said.
“Food waste is a massive global issue,” said Soteroff. “It’s a financial issue and environmental issue at its core.”
Too Good to Go is available on The Apple Store and Google Play for Android. If you’re a business owner that would like to sign up to start offering deals, visit their website here.