Every year in Canada, more than half of the food produced is thrown away. According to the ‘Too Good to Go’ app, wasted food is equivalent to the weight of 736,000 Toronto streetcars, it contributes to 8% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, and amounts to $1.2 trillion worth of food. Simply put, if food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Too Good to Go app is aiding in combating food waste in Montreal by connecting consumers to food establishments with excess food. By signing up on the app, users can discover and claim surplus meals and ingredients from local favorites at a fraction of the regular cost. This initiative not only benefits consumers with affordable food options but also supports store owners in reducing waste and addresses the critical issue of food wastage. Originating in Copenhagen in 2016, Too Good to Go has expanded its impact to seventeen countries, saving over 100,000 meals daily.

Since launching in North America in October 2020 and entering Canada in 2021, the app has facilitated significant food savings across Quebec and the country, with participants including prominent chains like Tim Hortons.

A 2022 study by Recyc-Quebec shed light on the extent of food waste in Quebec, estimating over one million tonnes of edible food are wasted annually, with 27% originating from the retail sector, including restaurants and hotels. Initiatives like Too Good To Go are instrumental in addressing this issue.

“It’s a win, of course, for consumers because we can access delicious food at a fraction of the cost. It’s also a win for the food businesses because they can actually make money [from] surplus food […] and it’s also a win for the planet because 10% of greenhouse gas emissions are connected to food waste,” Too Good to Go’s Canada PR manager, Nicolas Dot, told the media. He also says the app extends its network across bakeries, Tim Hortons, convenience stores and groceries.

Source: CityNews Montreal