Tip 11: Food-Saving Services

Save Money and Reduce Waste with Food-Saving Services

Want to save money on meals and help the environment? Discover food-saving services like TooGoodToGo, AH Overblijvers, and more in the Netherlands, where you can get surprise food bags and tasty deals while cutting down on food waste. Everyone wins!

You probably don’t wake up every morning thinking, “Today, I’m going to rescue some leftover croissants!” But if you’re living in the Netherlands, it might be time to start. Why? Food-saving services like TooGoodToGo, AH Overblijvers, and Olio are revolutionizing the way we deal with surplus food. Imagine this: delicious food, at a discount, and you’re helping save the planet. Could there be a better combo?

The best part? It’s easy, affordable, and full of surprise treats. If you’re in for saving both your euros and the environment, keep reading—we’ll show you how to get in on the action.

Food-saving services are basically like treasure hunts for your stomach. Local businesses—grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants—list surplus food on apps, and you get to buy it for a fraction of the original price. The catch? You usually don’t know exactly what you’re getting. Think of it as a culinary grab-bag adventure. The food is perfectly good, it just didn’t get sold during the day, and now it’s ready to be saved from the bin.

In the Netherlands, services like TooGoodToGo, AH Overblijvers, Olio, and others are making sure that all that deliciousness doesn’t go to waste. And the best part? You get to save some cash in the process!

But why stop there? For even more savings, combine these food-saving apps with cashback platforms like Woolsocks. While you’re rescuing surprise meals, Woolsocks helps you earn cashback on your everyday purchases. Check out our Woolsocks guide to see how you can earn rewards on top of your food savings—whether you’re stocking up on groceries or treating yourself to something special.

Super easy! Here’s the breakdown:

1. Download the app—you’ll need one for each service.
2. Check for deals near you—the app shows businesses offering discounted food bags or items.
3. Purchase a bag—this is where the magic happens. Most of the time, you’re getting a surprise, so be ready for anything from pastries to veggies.
4. Pick up your haul at the designated time. Voilà! You’ve just saved food and money in one fell swoop.

Each platform has its own quirks, but the basic idea is simple: reduce food waste, save money, and maybe get some amazing croissants along the way.

Food-Saving Services in a Nutshell

• Food-saving services like TooGoodToGo and AH Overblijvers offer a fun and easy way to save money and reduce food waste.
• You get discounted (or even free) food while helping to make the world a little greener.
• These apps are simple to use, and every purchase makes a real impact.
• A services like Olio expands your options even further.
• Whether you like surprises or a more structured approach, there’s a food-saving service for you!
• A few notifications and a bit of flexibility can turn you into a food-saving pro.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of how food-saving services work, let’s dive into the specific platforms available in the Netherlands. Each of these services offers a slightly different approach, whether it’s mystery food bags, discounted groceries, or community sharing. Below, we’ll take a closer look at how you can save money and reduce food waste with each platform.

Imagine this: you walk into your local bakery, grab a mystery bag of goodies, and leave feeling like you just scored a delicious jackpot. That’s TooGoodToGo in a nutshell. This app connects you with local businesses that have unsold food, which you can buy for a discount. What’s inside? That’s the fun part—you won’t know until you pick it up!

How It Works:

• Businesses post “magic bags” of surplus food.
• You browse the app, pick a place, and pay.
• Head over at the specified time and collect your mystery bag.

Pros:

• Affordable, surprise meals.
• A wide variety of participating businesses, from bakeries to restaurants.
• You’re actively helping to reduce food waste.

Cons:

• It’s a surprise, so you don’t always get exactly what you want.
• Popular spots sell out fast, especially in big cities.

Tips:

• Turn on notifications to snag the best bags.
• Be open-minded! (Hey, you might discover your new favorite food.)
• Check pick-up times carefully so you don’t miss out.

Download the TooGoodToGo app

Download the AH app

Enter AH Overblijvers, where Albert Heijn joins the food-saving party. This service focuses on clearing out unsold groceries before they go to waste, offering them at a sweet discount. Unlike TooGoodToGo, here you know exactly what you’re buying, making it perfect for folks who like a little more control over their shopping list.

How It Works:

• Find discounted, soon-to-expire groceries in the Albert Heijn app.
• Buy them directly through the app.
• Swing by your local AH to pick them up.

Unique Features:

• No surprises here—you’ll see what’s available and can plan your meals accordingly.
• Integrated into the Albert Heijn app for seamless shopping.

Pros:

• Great for grocery staples you actually need.
• Available at many Albert Heijn stores across the country.

Cons:

• Limited to Albert Heijn locations and items near their expiration date.
• Offers can disappear fast, especially for popular items.

Tips:

• Check the app early in the day to get the best deals.
• Plan your weekly meals around Overblijvers offers and save big on staples.

Want to score free food while bonding with your neighbors? Olio is your app. It’s all about food sharing, both between individuals and businesses, and you can grab food for free. Yep, you heard that right—free. It’s a great way to reduce waste, share the love, and connect with your local community.

How It Works:

• People (or businesses) post surplus food on Olio.
• You browse the listings and claim what you want.
• Arrange pick-up directly with the person offering the food.

Unique Features:

• The app is completely community-based.
• Many of the listings are free, and not just food—you might also find household goods!

Pros:

• Free food! What’s not to love?
• Builds a sense of community.
• Encourages food-sharing and sustainability.

Cons:

• Availability depends on how active your local community is.
• You need to coordinate pick-ups directly with other users.

Tips:

• Check regularly to claim items as soon as they’re posted.
• Use the app to share any surplus food you have, too!

Download Olio for iOS or Android

Here’s a fun (and slightly terrifying) fact: the Netherlands throws away nearly 2 million tons of food every year. That’s a lot of bread and veggies going to waste. But these food-saving services are making a real difference, helping save millions of meals from the trash and significantly cutting down on food waste.

By using these platforms, you’re not just saving money—you’re actively helping reduce your carbon footprint. Think of it as doing your bit for the planet, one surprise baguette at a time.