By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
I am generally not a fan of surprises. Birthday parties that put my introverted self at the centre of attention. Creepy crawlies under the guise of Halloween celebrations. Unsolicited advice about my weight.
However, with the cost of living certainly adding its own shock factor to my weekly bank balance check-up, I was happy to make an exception for the Too Good To Go Surprise Bags - those mystery hauls of surplus food from bakeries, cafes and restaurants that would otherwise be destined for the bin.
The idea of accessing perfectly good food at a fraction of the price seemed both thrifty and slightly terrifying. Would I end up with an inedible combination of bananas and mayonnaise? Fish and chocolate? Pizza and pineapple (never an acceptable partnership)?
However, I can happily confirm that upon downloading the Too Good to Go app (world’s largest marketplace for surplus) and browsing the offerings of my local eateries, I picked up four bags with that delicious sense of suspense. There’s no menu, no expectation - just a promise of quality food that’s been saved from waste.
My first bag revealed pastries still warm from the oven; my second, containers of still-delicious Thai food; my third, enough ready-to-eat meals to feed two hungry people; my fourth, a handful of groceries that simply required a little TLC to make the transition from produce to plate.
The variety is part of the fun: some items were devoured immediately, others inspired late-night kitchen experiments.
It’s not just a budget-friendly thrill. New research commissioned by Too Good To Go shows that 98% of restaurateurs typically have perfectly good surplus food available for purchase, meaning there’s almost always a steady stream of supply for Aussies wanting to try something new without breaking the bank. More than 2500 Australian businesses are now on board and 1.3 million registered users are helping ensure that edible food actually gets eaten.
We asked Joost Rietveld, Too Good To Go’s Country Director of Australia, about why Aussies are suddenly so keen to embrace surplus food. His answer was both simple and stark:
"About 7.6 million tonnes of food goes to waste each year in Australia and as one of the world’s dumbest environmental challenges, this issue is gaining increasing awareness among Aussies wanting to make changes that reduce their impact on the planet.” He adds that the app connects people with local food businesses, from bakeries to cafes, giving perfectly edible food a second life.
The idea of ‘surplus food’ still carries a bit of stigma, but the quality of what lands in these bags quickly changes your mind. "With the help of our amazing community, who love to share their experiences with picking up Too Good To Go Surprise Bags online, we’re able to build awareness around the amazing quality of food available on our marketplace.”
In other words, these aren’t leftovers - they’re high-quality creations that were made to be enjoyed and now get a second chance.
A weekend living off Surprise Bags taught us two things: variety is King and creativity is required. One morning, I paired a rustic sourdough from a local bakery with poached eggs; another, a surprise bag of sweet treats became the centrepiece of a casual brunch with friends.
Joost underscores why these bags benefit both businesses and consumers: "Our partners are in complete control of the surplus food they put in their Surprise Bags, to ensure their brand is protected and their own standards are upheld.” It’s sustainable, smart and frankly, fun.
It also gives you perspective on how small actions can make a difference. Joost recalls his own memorable Surprise Bags: "The two examples that come to mind are a donut bag, which I love picking up with my kids and letting them join in on the excitement of the surprise.
"The second is a grocery Surprise Bag I picked up a long time ago. I still remember looking inside the bag and realising that all this great quality food was destined for the bin and it was just a small action required from my end to save it. That can really fill your cup.”
By the end of our weekend, I wasn’t just full - I felt a bit smarter about how I consumed and a little more aligned with the idea that conscious choices can be delicious, sustainable and affordable. I had experienced a mix of pastries, bread, ready-made meals and groceries - all rescued from waste, all appreciated in new ways.
