Discover how one app revolutionized dining habits, saved thousands on meals, and rescued tons of food from going to waste.
In New York, I lived off of three things: meal swipes from ever-so-generous underclassmen, Trader Joe’s frozen food, and Too Good to Go (TGTG). Founded in 2015, TGTG operates as a digital platform that connects consumers with restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, and other food businesses to rescue surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away. It is a poster child company for the intersection between profit-making and positive change, with a business model where social impact is not just a side effect but ingrained at its core. Below is one of my favorite TGTG spots in NYC, an Asian takeout spot called Beyond Wok in Union Square that’ll run you $6.52 as of December 2023 (not vegetarian despite the name).
Given the extraordinarily high prices of eating out in Copenhagen, I knew that TGTG would again serve me well this semester. Plus, as a Danish company headquartered less than a 20-minute bike ride from my dorm, almost every food establishment here is listed on the app. As such, I’ve become reliant on TGTG for the most important meal of the day: breakfast. While this is a complete 180 from my time in NY, the restaurant prices have turned me into somewhat of a master chef as I’ve grown to enjoy cooking more and more. But European pastries are a different story…
Netto, a Danish discount supermarket, has become one of the places I constantly go back to for pastries, where I get the bag pictured for $2.77. It comes full of mini hot dog buns, pizza sandwiches, muffins, and other baked goods. The enthusiasm for TGTG was palpable when I spoke with Mohammed, a staff member at Netto. He was shocked by the remarkably low price, as the entire bag bought individually earlier in the day would have cost the equivalent of at least $15-20. He noted that before Netto’s launch on TGTG two years ago, the chain would actually toss the pastries out at the end of the day. This surprised me because I had assumed places would simply donate whatever was unsold and later started using TGTG as an easy way to generate a little more revenue, but he cited “logistical hurdles and safety reasons” that prevented Netto and other chains from giving away free food at the end of the day. However, with TGTG, these places found the perfect intermediary. Instead of actively seeking out individuals or organizations to donate excess food to, the app effortlessly brings them to their doorstep.
In reflecting on my experiences with TGTG both in New York and Copenhagen, it's evident that this innovative platform has not only transformed my dining habits but also embodies a powerful force for social impact. As I continue to rely on the certified B-Corp for affordable meals, I'm reminded of the profound influence that businesses like TGTG can have in fostering a more equitable and sustainable world. Through its enviable business model and unwavering dedication to social responsibility, TGTG serves as a beacon of hope and possibility in the green transition.
