Everything feels more expensive lately — food, gas, housing, utilities, even a quick trip or a night out. Prices keep climbing while wages don’t seem to be keeping pace, forcing many Americans to rethink how and where they spend their hard-earned dollars. When it comes to groceries and dining out, that pressure on the pocketbook means finding ways to save money isn’t just smart anymore—it’s essential.

Couponing used to be the go-to strategy for saving money, but now smartphone apps can help consumers find affordable food without the hassle of searching for coupons. These apps can connect consumers with restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and convenience stores, offering steep discounts on food that would otherwise go to waste. The result: real savings for shoppers and meaningful environmental benefits by reducing the amount of food destined for the landfill.

While households generate the largest share of U.S. food waste, retailers and restaurants contribute significantly as well. ReFED estimates that these businesses produce more than 16.48 million tons of surplus food annually—worth over $183 billion—highlighting a major opportunity to redirect this excess rather than discard it. Food donations to hunger-relief organizations like food banks are a critical channel for redistributing surplus food; however, turning would-be food waste into retail value by offering discounts on near-expiring groceries or unsold prepared meals can help generate revenue for the retailer, save consumers money, and conserve food and reduce waste.

The challenge is making those deals easy to find. That’s where phone apps come in. Platforms like Too Good To Go, Flashfood, and Goodie Bag bridge the gap, alerting users to nearby discounts. Each follows the same core idea—save money, cut waste, create retail value—but with its own unique approach. Let’s take a closer look at how they work.

Too Good To Go

Overview: Founded in Copenhagen in 2016, Too Good To Go (TGTG) proclaims to be the “world’s largest marketplace for surplus food,” backed up by their presence across Europe and throughout the U.S. They partner with food retailers – restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, convenience stores, etc. – to help these businesses sell food to consumers at a discounted price.

This certified B Corp boasts 500+ million meals saved, 120 million registered users, and 180,000 business partners. Their concept is based on “Surprise Bags”. This means customers don’t get to choose specific items, so the bag’s contents can change from day to day. Some days you may get a bag of your favorites, and other days you may not.

For the food retailers, TGTG reports that 41% of customers make additional purchases when they pick up their surprise bag, and 61% visit the location because they were picking up their purchase, increasing potential for new customers.

Flashfood

Overview: Flashfood professes to be the #1 grocery deals app. This certified B-Corp was founded in 2016 in Canada by social entrepreneur Josh Domingues. They focus on connecting consumers to discounts on produce, meat, and packaged foods that are in surplus or nearing their best-by dates at grocery stores. It partners with 2,000+ of these stores across the U.S. and Canada, including giants like Kroger and Meijer, as well as smaller independent and regional grocers. They report $400 million+ in savings for shoppers and 160 million+ pounds of food diverted from landfills.

Unlike TGTG’s surprise bags, Flashfood often lets you know exactly what you’re buying. Packaged and labeled items come with full product details. Fresh produce bundles may also be available and are more of a grab-bag, like TGTG’s surprise bags; there’s a photo, but a disclaimer notes that the actual contents may not match the picture. A notable bonus: SNAP recipients can use their benefits directly in the app – important for people who would benefit most from discounted groceries.

For food retailers, Flashfood boasts 1.4 million users, with 72% reporting increased store visits and a 27% average reduction in food loss that would otherwise end up in the landfill.

Which App is Right For You?

These three apps all tackle the same core issues – converting surplus food into revenue for the seller and savings for the buyer while keeping perfectly good food out of the landfill. But, are they a good fit for you? That depends.

First, consider location. Each app operates within a limited network of participating businesses. If none are active in your area, they simply won’t be useful. Beyond that, think about your routine. Will you actually make time to pick up your deal? Can you fit it into your existing errands or commute, or will it require an extra trip? These practical details can make or break whether the savings are worth it.

Here is a quick summary comparison to help you think about which one may be best for you:

Conclusion

Shopping apps like Too Good To Go, Flashfood, and Goodie Bag represent a simple but meaningful shift in how consumers can interact with the food system. By turning surplus into savings, they address two problems at once — the rising cost of groceries and the staggering amount of food that goes to waste each year. Whether you’re looking for the thrill of a mystery bag, the predictability of labeled grocery deals, or a way to support local businesses in your community, there’s likely an option that fits your lifestyle. The barriers to entry are low: the apps are free, the discounts are real, and the environmental payoff is built in. As food prices continue to put pressure on household budgets, these platforms offer a rare win-win — for your wallet, for businesses, and for the planet.