Too Good To Go helps people save money on food while also helping the planet. The free app allows customers to buy surplus food from local businesses at a discount.
HOUSTON — If you’ve ever wished there was a way to save money on food while also helping the planet, there’s an app for that.
It’s called Too Good To Go, and it’s making a big difference for both businesses and consumers.
At Michael’s Cookie Jar in Houston, every cookie is made from scratch. Owner Michael Savino takes pride in doing things the right way.
“We don’t skip any corners and it tastes good. It’s classic flavors done right,” Savino said.
When asked what his best-seller is, he didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll give you one guess what our most popular cookie is,” he said.
“Chocolate chip,” replied KHOU 11’s Cheryl Mercedes.
“You got it,” Savino said.
But even the best cookie has an expiration date. For Savino, freshness is non-negotiable.
“If it’s not fresh, if it doesn’t meet standards, what are you going to do with it?” he said.
That question led Savino to discover Too Good To Go. The free app allows customers to buy surplus food from local businesses at a discount. It is food that would otherwise be tossed out at the end of the day.
Through the app, users can search for nearby businesses offering what the company calls “surprise bags.” The contents vary. That’s part of the fun, but the value is always greater than the price tag.
“The deal with the app is it’s a mystery bag, so you don’t know what flavors you’re getting. So, it’s a little bit of everything,” Savino said.
At Michael’s Cookie Jar, a bag of eight cookies sells for just $5.99 on the app. Out of the display case, those same cookies would cost nearly $22. That’s a savings of more than $16.
For Savino, the biggest payoff isn’t the money, it’s reducing waste.
“It’s just nice to not throw anything away. That’s really the bottom line,” he said.
Too Good To Go launched in the United States in 2020, but the mission has always been bigger than just discounts.
Associate Director of Strategy and Operations Allen Denberg said food waste is one of the leading contributors to climate change.
“This is a way that everyone can get involved and help be part of this mission to help save the 40% of food that’s wasted globally each year. Globally, we have saved over 480 million meals from going to waste, working with over 400,000 stores, contributing to over $2.7 billion in savings for consumers, and that’s across our 19 countries where we operate,” Denberg said.
The company is already working with more than 36,000 stores in the United States, and nearly 900 businesses in Houston, including Shipley Do-Nuts, Whole Foods, and of course, Michael’s Cookie Jar.
“It’s nice to have something that, for the business owner, is easy,” Savino added.
Since its U.S. launch, Too Good To Go says it has saved more than 26 million meals from going to waste.
“Any kind of food business can work with Too Good To Go, and almost every type of food business has something that they have to throw out. It’s just a great way for them to help reduce their carbon footprint, reduce their waste, and bring in foot traffic into their stores and make some extra money,” Denberg said.
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