GoKawiilIf you find yourself week after week throwing out leftovers from your fridge, then you may need to rethink the way you approach food spending. Groceries aren’t getting cheaper, and with numerous food recalls, you’re more limited in your selections at the supermarket. It’s smart to plan ahead to prepare and eat the foods you’re making to avoid waste.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, an American family of four loses out on approximately $1,500 per year on food waste. This figure changes based on the cost of food and the size of a family, with some evidence showing that families with children and higher incomes tend to waste food the most. Some programs are being put in place, such as the US 2030 Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal, which aims to reduce food waste in our communities.
If you’re trying your best to be mindful of eating all of your groceries and leftovers, here are apps that can help you cut back on food waste. Some help remind you of items sitting in your fridge that you’ve forgotten about, and others connect you with local businesses that want to get rid of food before they close for the day. If you’re looking to waste less food and even save some money, these are the apps to download now.
1. Too Good to Go
Reduce food waste through local businesses
Too Good to Go is a free app that was originally founded in Copenhagen and has since spread to 10 countries in Europe and North America. It connects you to local restaurants and stores that have leftover food that’s sold for a discounted price to the public to avoid food waste.
I discovered this app a couple of years ago through word of mouth and loved the concept. It’s common for restaurants to dispose of food at the end of the day, so this was an alternative that prevented perfectly good food from being dumped.
When you sign up for the app, you’ll get a list of restaurants or businesses in your area participating in the Too Good to Go program. The businesses will provide the hours when you can come and pick up the “surprise bag” they gather for you based on the food they’re trying to get rid of. You will reserve a bag and pay the fee, which varies by store through the app. The one downside is that you can’t control what foods some establishments give you, so keep that in mind. Depending on where you’re located, demand may be high, so it’s best to reserve your bag as soon as possible.
Too Good to Go See at Too Good to Go
2. Oh A Potato
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