Food tech company Too Good To Go, which aims to fight food waste, has expanded to the West Coast.
The Too Good To Go app connects consumers with surplus from restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and grocery stores at the end of each business day, so food doesn't go to waste. Customers can browse participating locations nearby, and then reserve and pay for a “surprise bag” on the app, the contents of which vary daily.
The app will first roll out in the Bay Area, with Seattle to follow on May 12, and Portland on May 19. Too Good to Go plans to be in many more of the largest U.S. cities by the end of 2021.
"As one of the regions leading climate change efforts in the U.S., we've had our eyes on the West Coast since we launched stateside seven months ago," said Lucie Basch, Too Good To Go co-founder, in a statement. "We're working to significantly reduce food waste at the retail level and show our app users they can easily take action against climate change. This is an integral part of reaching the UN's net-zero goal by 2050, as food waste contributes to 8 percent of global greenhouse gases."
La Boulangerie, Gracias Madre, Mochica, Mission Chinese, Indie Superette, Daily Driver, and many more are among the first wave of Bay Area establishments to join the app. Early joiners in Seattle include La Pasta, Caffe Vita, U:Don Fresh Japanese Noodle Station, and Nielsen's Pastries, while establishments like Sesame Donut, Roste Chocolate House, and Aces Barista are signed on in Portland.
Related: Marcus Samuelsson Leads Effort to Promote Reduction of Food Waste; Full Circle Home, Farmbox Direct Tackle Food Waste.
Image: Too Good To Go