Imagine this: It is 8 PM in busy Lahore. Your stomach is growling loud. You check your phone. You find a cheap bag of good food from a restaurant. It might have fresh bread, tasty curry, or even cake. All for the cost of a cup of tea. This is not a dream. It is Too Good To Go, an app that helps save extra food and makes you happy.
Many people throw away good food. In the world, we waste 2.5 billion tons of food each year. That is a lot – enough to feed everyone two times. In Pakistan, we waste 20-36 million tons a year. That is 26-40% of all food we make. It costs $4 billion. This food could help many hungry people. But apps like Too Good To Go change this.
It started in Denmark in 2016. Now it works in 17 countries. It has saved over 300 million meals. In the US, it saved 8.1 million meals in the first seven months of 2025. That is 67% more than last year. Why get this app? It saves money, helps the planet, and is fun. One saved meal stops 2.5 kg of bad air from going into the sky.
How the App Works: The Surprise Bag Idea
Too Good To Go is easy. It connects shops with people like you. Restaurants and stores have extra food at the end of the day. They put it in “Surprise Bags.” These bags have fresh food, not old scraps. Like mixed veggies, soft cakes, or full meals.
Here is how it goes:
- Look and Buy: Download the free app on your phone (for Android or iPhone). Enter your city. See nearby shops. Bags cost 200-500 PKR – half price or less.
- The Fun Part: You do not know what is inside until you get it. It could be rice and meat from a Karachi shop. It feels like a gift from a friend.
- Pick It Up: Go to the shop at closing time (30-60 minutes). No home delivery yet, but it is a short walk.
- Eat and Help: Enjoy the food. You saved it from the trash. Tell the app what you think for next time.
It is simple and exciting. People say it is like a game – find the best bag fast. Shops make money from food they would throw away.
Can It Work in Pakistan? Yes, But With Some Changes
In Pakistan, food waste is a big problem. Hotels throw away extra from buffets. Markets dump fruits and veggies. We lose food that could feed 50 million people a year. Too Good To Go is new in South Asia. Some places in Karachi use it now. Think of Lahore’s Food Street or Karachi cafes selling cheap plates of spicy food.
It can work here:
- Good Points: We like cheap street food and deals. Apps like Foodpanda are popular. This fits well.
- Problems and Fixes: Traffic makes pickup hard? Use shops near you. People may not like surprise food? Show clean badges and reviews. Money issues? Use EasyPaisa or JazzCash.
People in Karachi talk about it online. They want more local spots. If it grows in 2026, it can save millions of tons of food. And help 40% of kids who do not have enough to eat.
Real Stories: People Who Use Too Good To Go
Listen to real users. In London, a mom named Aisha got a bag for £3.99 from a bakery. “Pastries and cakes for my kids’ breakfast. It was like winning a prize. And I helped the earth.” In Seattle, a shop sells old chocolates cheap. It turns mistakes into treats.
In Pakistan, think of Faisal in Lahore. He buys a bag from a small eatery for 300 PKR. “Enough chicken and bread for two days. No more sad fridge.” Many users now think more about waste – 68% say they waste less.
How to Use “Too Good To Go” and Save Food
Want to start? Here are easy steps:
- Get the App: Download and turn on alerts for your area. Save your favorite shops.
- Smart Choices: Pick veggie bags first – they last longer. Add rice at home to make more food. Look at photos from others.
- Save Food Without the App:
- Small Plates: Use less food on your plate. We waste 61% of home food by mistake.
- Fridge Trick: Put old food in front to eat first.
- Share with Friends: Give extra to neighbors or make a group meal.
- Buy Smart: Get ugly fruits from markets – they are cheap and taste good. Freeze extras, like herbs in ice.
Last Words: Try It Today
Too Good To Go is more than an app. It fights waste in a fun way. In Pakistan, where some go hungry but we throw away so much, it makes a big difference. Download it. Get a bag. You save food, money, and the air. One bag starts good habits.
What do you think? Share your tip to save food in the comments. Let’s make Pakistan waste less!
