Looking to save money on food? There's an app for that: Jasmine Mangalaseril

With the high cost of living challenging us, many Canadians are looking at different ways to stretch their dollars.

Although many haven't tried them, food rescue apps — also called food waste or food saving apps — are helping shoppers save 30 to 50 per cent (or more) off regular prices.

According to a Dalhousie University Agri-Food Analytics Lab survey, roughly 60 per cent of Canadians haven't used a food rescue app, and for those who have used one, most say they would recommend downloading one to others.

Fighting food waste

There are two apps that are gaining popularity in Waterloo Region, Flashfood and Too Good To Go. They launched in the mid-2010s as a way to help fight food waste by partnering with companies like grocery stores or restaurants to offer deep discounts on food that's near its best-by date.

Josh Domingues, Flashfood's founder, started researching food waste and its link to greenhouse gases after his sister, a chef working a catering event, was upset about having to throw out $4,000 worth of still-good food afterwards.

He learned the average grocery store discards $5,000 to $10,000 in food, two or three days from its sell-by date, every day.

"The idea was [to find] a way for the store to mark the price of food down and send a notification, so I could see the deal through my phone, pay through my phone, and pick it up in the store the same day," said Domingues.

This 800 g piece of trout from Zehrs was offered through the Flashfood app at half off $30. (Jasmine Mangalaseril/CBC)

Flashfood partners with large American and Canadian chains; locally, Ren's Pets and Loblaws are on the app.

Too Good To Go was founded in Copenhagen by a group of sustainability experts. Spokesperson Sarah Soteroff explains one of them was a dumpster diver who asked why he couldn't purchase the edible, perfectly packaged food he found.

"They would say the food can no longer be sold throughout the course of business because of the best before date," says Soteroff. "His conscience led him to believe that there should be a different solution."

Now in 17 countries, it came to Canada in 2021 and entered Waterloo Region in 2022. Today, it has approximately 240 local businesses, a mix of independents and franchisees including grocers, restaurants, and bakeries.

Rescuing food budgets

When it comes to discounts and keeping money in your pocket, substantial savings is possible. One user Domingues met told him she saved $4,000 through Flashfood.

"She almost starts to cry, she's like, we have three kids and if we didn't have Flashfood I don't know how we'd be getting by right now."

These fresh pink oyster mushrooms were purchased from The Mushroom Tree in Waterloo through Too Good To Go. They came in a $12 surprise bag that was listed for $5.99 on the app. (Jasmine Mangalaseril/CBC)

By partnering with a number of local businesses, food rescue apps offer a variety of items at discounted prices. Some examples I found of what you can save include an 800-g trout fillet for $15 (regular price: $30 at Zehrs), a $24 box from Lady Glaze Doughnuts is offered at $7.99, and a $12 surprise bag from The Mushroom Tree goes for $5.99.

District Manager of Real Canadian Superstore for Ontario and GTA West, Evan Magee says, more than 12,000 people used the Flashfood app at their Ontario locations last year.

"By the end of 2023, Flashfood was running in over 750 [Loblaw] stores. During that year alone, this partnership managed to divert more than 9.3 million kilograms of potential food waste and helped Canadians save almost $44 million on their groceries," Magee said in an emailed statement.

Soteroff says, since arriving in Canada, Too Good To Go has saved Canadians $55 million, which earned vendors $19 million. Locally, in less than two years, 80,000 meals have been diverted from the landfill.

Trying new restaurants

Kathy Hanshaw, owner of The Tamale Girl stand at the Kitchener Market, typically uploads one surprise bag to Too Good To Go each day.

It contains salsas and fresh-cooked foods that didn't sell that day. She said she's nearly eliminated all of her food waste while acquiring regular customers.

Kathy Hanshaw, The Tamale Girl at the Kitchener Market, credits the Too Good To Go app with helping her reduce her food waste while bringing in new customers. (Jasmine Mangalaseril/CBC)

"Not a lot of people are familiar with tamales. So, I think there's some nervousness when they walk up," says Hanshaw.

"This is one way to test drive the food and decide if this is something they want to come back for. It's definitely been working."

Tips for new users

• Flexibility is key: Deals and vendors change every day.

• Know if you can handle the unknown: The only detail you may get is "mixed grocery bag" or "baked goods."

• Take it on the go: You might find deals near the cottage or when travelling for work.

• Plan your pick-ups: Pick-ups are often scheduled in the last couple hours of the business's opening hours.

• Watch your timing: Some fresh groceries are intended to be cooked and eaten the day they're picked up.

• Have fun discovering new local businesses!