Too Good To Go launches service to sell surplus food from manufacturers

UK food and drink manufacturers can now sell commodities to food waste reduction business, Too Good To Go, via a new retail channel that reduces the logistical burden of handling surplus food.

With approximately 12m tonnes of food wasted annually at the manufacturing stage across Europe, this service offers businesses a new way to manage their surplus food and drink as a result of demand fluctuations, packaging changes or cosmetic standards.

Food waste is estimated to create 10% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions worldwide; as such, addressing this challenge has been deemed essential in the fight against climate change. In fact, according to climate resource platform, Project Drawdown, it is the number one solution to limit the temperature rise to just 2˚C by 2100.

The Too Good To Go parcel service has already been launched in other countries across Europe, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany and Austria.  

Within the UK, brands such as Tony’s Chocolonely, Kraft Heinz, Minor Figures and Skinny Food Co are already using the service, with other food companies like Unilever, Danone and Coca-Cola, Ferrero and Mondelēz on board in other regions.

So far, more than 1.4m Too Good To Go Parcels have been saved – the equivalent to avoiding 21.9m kgs of CO2e emissions and saving 6.5bn litres of water. 

By the end of 2024, the parcels will be available in 50% of the countries where the social impact company operates.

Products found in Too Good To Go Parcels are generally ambient goods and easy to store, such as coffee, soft drinks, soups, snacks and pasta.

Brands just need to ship their products to Too Good To Go’s new packing facility in the Midlands, and the rest is managed by the business’s partner, CEVA Logistics.

Consumers can purchase parcels directly via the Too Good To Go app for a reduced price, which is then delivered straight to their door.  

Brands will also have access to the retail channel, enabling them to engage directly with a community of more than 17m registered UK users via Too Good To Go’s existing marketplace app.

The concept builds on Too Good To Go’s ‘Surprise Bags’ – a food goodie bag put together by participating shops and restaurants of food and drink near its sell by date for a reduced price. In the UK, 45m meals have been diverted from the waste bin via these mystery bags.

Commenting on the news, Sophie Trueman, country director at Too Good To Go UK and Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to introduce Parcels as the latest innovation in our mission to combat food waste. This new retail channel not only provides businesses with an additional way to manage their surplus inventory without any logistical burden, but it allows them to market their brand directly to our existing and hyper-engaged audience. We believe that by making it easier for everyone to participate in tackling food waste, we can make a significant impact together."​

Sainsbury's is extending Aldi price match to smaller stores. Read more here.​​