Too Good To Go food waste reduction initiatives

The food rescue platform Too Good To Go is being utilized by businesses and consumers to mitigate food waste in Germany and the United Kingdom.

In Germany, retailers in the Tirschenreuth district use the app to offer ‘surprise bags’ of surplus produce and baked goods at discounted prices, with some surplus being donated to food banks. In London, the platform provides students with affordable access to leftover meals from local establishments, addressing the significant volume of food waste generated in the city.

Building on these efforts, the UK retailer Marks & Spencer is expanding its partnership with Too Good To Go to more than 350 stores. Following a successful trial, the retailer will offer ‘Surprise Bags’ containing unsold bakery items, such as bread and pastries, for £3.80. This expansion is part of the company’s ‘Plan A’ strategy, which seeks to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030. These bags, which represent a minimum retail value of £10, are available for collection Monday through Saturday, one hour before local stores close. Other waste-reduction efforts by the retailer include repurposing surplus bread into frozen garlic bread and discounting extra-ripe bananas.