With Miami’s rising cost of living — even surpassing New York City’s for the first time on record — finding good deals has become a daily mission. But while housing and everyday expenses continue to drain our bank accounts, what if we told you there’s an app out there that gets you groceries, baked goods and restaurant meals for a fraction of the average price?
It sounds too good to be true, but Too Good To Go is making it happen by offering discounted meal bags while cutting down on citywide food waste. If you’re ready to save a few bucks, keep reading for how the app works and tips to snag the bags from your favorite businesses before they sell out.
What is Too Good To Go?
Founded in Denmark in 2016 and launched in the U.S. in 2020, Too Good To Go bills itself as the world’s largest marketplace for surplus food. The concept is simple: at the end of the day, local cafes, bakeries and restaurants often have perfectly good food left over. But instead of throwing it away, they can package it into a “Surprise Bag” and sell it through the app at a third of the price.
Basically, a bag valued at $15 to $18 could cost you between $4.99 and $5.99! The only catch is that you don’t know exactly what you’re getting until you pick up your order.
All you have to do is reserve your food, pay through the app and head to the shop during the specified pickup time. It’s a win-win situation by keeping good food from going to waste, reducing our carbon footprint and eating deliciously for cheap!
While the app has had massive success in Europe and U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles, it is currently gaining a fast following in South Florida since its launch locally in 2023. Participating spots include Jrk!, Maman and Vicky Bakery, among others. You can also pick up grocery bags from Whole Foods, as the two brands share a nationwide partnership.
How to secure the best Surprise Bags before they sell out
Because prices are so low, bags from the most popular restaurants sell out in minutes. The app basically shows you which nearby spots have available food, but you have to be fast!
To snag the best deals, check frequently to see personalized recommendations and highlights of newly added bags. You can also turn on notification alerts to let you track your favorite locations.
The app is free to download across iOS and Android platforms. Check it out for yourself here.
