An app which allows users to buy unused food from shops, restaurants and cafes is growing in Ireland. The app aims to reduce food waste while allowing users to buy food at a discounted price during the cost of living crisis.
Ireland wastes more than one million tonnes of food each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It is estimated that global food waste contributes to between 8% and 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
So far, Too Good To Go says it has prevented more than 100,000 bags of food from going to waste in Ireland. The app launched in Dublin in October 2021 and has since launched in Cork, Galway and Limerick.
The app has partnered with almost 1,000 food businesses across the country and offers unpredictable “Surprise Bags” which are sold at a third of their usual price. Over 145,000 businesses use the app worldwide with over 126 million surprise bags saved and sold globally.
Since May, Too Good To Go has expanded into Limerick City with high levels of success.
Cian Murphy is the owner of Fika Coffee in Limerick City and says the app has been fantastic for his business. “It helps reduce wastage, we do toasted sandwiches which obviously have a shelf life and it’s great to see that they’re not going to waste,” he said.
Murphy also explained that the app helps to recoup some of the cost which helps to reduce the risk of stocking food, especially after taking a hit with the pandemic. According to Murphy, the app is also helping in terms of exposure.
“We’ve had nearly 25,000 views on Too Good To Go since we started it, which is phenomenal,” he said before adding that it helps to build a brand, “we’re only a small shop, we’re not even open two years so it helps to put us on the map a little bit.”
Murphy thinks that the app’s success is down to a growing drive for sustainability and reducing food waste as well as the discounted prices during the current economic climate. Other than that, it’s a new way for people to try new food and businesses at a discounted rate.
“It’s a new toy for people, so to speak, it’s been throughout Europe for five or six years, and it’s finally in Ireland. Obviously, Limerick is a city but it’s almost like a large town, everyone knows everyone so it’s nice that people can see places that they go to on a regular basis and can pick up something and help the business out, reduce their wastage and cost and for them, they’re getting quality stuff,” he said.
Murphy said that the app is allowing people to see what’s out there and is providing new regulars. “I had a lady in today, for example, who picked up a bag last week and she came back in today to get sandwiches because she loved them so much,” he said.
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