Too Good To Go, an innovative food rescue app, has partnered with Whole Foods Market to reduce the amount of food that ends up in landfills by connecting consumers with surplus food at a discount.

Founded in Denmark in 2016, Too Good To Go has quickly become a global force in the fight against food waste, operating in 17 countries and saving over 100 million meals. The app allows users to purchase surplus food from restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets at a fraction of the cost. Whole Foods Market, known for its commitment to sustainability and high-quality natural and organic foods, sees this partnership as a natural extension of its efforts to reduce environmental impact.

David Sandoval, Senior Vice President of Operations at Whole Foods Market, explains, “At Whole Foods Market, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to reduce food waste. Partnering with Too Good To Go allows us to provide customers with high-quality products that might otherwise go to waste, at a great value.”

Through the Too Good To Go app, users can find and purchase “Surprise Bags” filled with surplus food from their local Whole Foods Market stores. These bags contain a variety of items nearing their sell-by date but are still perfectly good to eat. The app’s user-friendly interface and real-time updates make it easy for consumers to find and rescue food that would otherwise be discarded.

The impact of this partnership is significant. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, approximately one-third of all food produced globally is wasted each year. This not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions but also squanders resources such as water, land, and labor. By rescuing surplus food, Too Good To Go and Whole Foods Market are helping to mitigate these environmental impacts and promote a more sustainable food system.

In the United States, food waste is a particularly pressing issue. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 63 million tons of food are wasted each year, with the majority ending up in landfills. This partnership aims to reduce that number by providing consumers with easy access to surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away.

Too Good To Go’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mette Lykke, highlights the importance of this collaboration. “We are thrilled to partner with Whole Foods Market, a company that shares our commitment to sustainability and reducing food waste. Together, we can make a significant impact and inspire more people to join the fight against food waste.”

The initiative has already seen success in pilot programs. In cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, thousands of consumers have used the Too Good To Go app to rescue food from Whole Foods Market stores. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the quality and variety of the food available, as well as the opportunity to make a tangible difference in reducing food waste.

This partnership also supports Whole Foods Market’s broader sustainability goals. The company has long been a leader in environmental stewardship, with initiatives ranging from reducing plastic use to sourcing products from sustainable fisheries and farms. By collaborating with Too Good To Go, Whole Foods Market is taking another step toward its goal of becoming a zero-waste company.

The benefits of this partnership extend beyond environmental impact. For consumers, it offers an affordable way to access high-quality food while supporting a sustainable cause. For Whole Foods Market, it helps to reduce waste and attract a new customer base interested in sustainability. For Too Good To Go, it expands their reach and impact, bringing their mission to more communities across the United States.

In a world where food waste is a growing concern, the partnership between Too Good To Go and Whole Foods Market represents a meaningful effort to address this issue. By working together, these two organizations are not only reducing waste but also raising awareness about the importance of sustainability in the food industry.

As this initiative continues to expand, it serves as a model for how businesses and consumers can collaborate to create a more sustainable future. Through innovative solutions and a shared commitment to reducing food waste, Too Good To Go and Whole Foods Market are leading the way toward a more responsible and sustainable food system.