Too Good to Go is an innovative app designed to combat food waste by offering unsold food at a discount. The concept is excellent, but the experience can vary depending on the participating business. Here’s a breakdown of my experiences with Café Nero, Whole Foods, and Captain Marden’s in Wellesley.
Café Nero
- Experience: Unfortunately, my experience with Café Nero was disappointing. The "Bakery Surprise Bag" contained a plain croissant and a stale breakfast sandwich. While the concept is great, the lack of variety and freshness left much to be desired.
- Value: At around $5, the bag didn’t feel worth it given the poor quality.
- Sustainability: While it’s commendable to reduce food waste, the items didn’t reflect Café Nero’s usual standards.
- Pro Tip: Consider checking reviews or asking around for others' experiences before picking up a bag here.
Whole Foods
- Experience: Whole Foods provides a more consistent and varied selection. You might get baked goods, prepared foods, or fresh produce. While it’s a mystery, the quality is usually reliable. We enjoyed the chicken wings, Italian sandwich and burrito!
- Value: Typically worth the $11 price tag, with items totaling $25 or more.
- Sustainability: Whole Foods aligns with the app’s mission, and the freshness of items is a definite plus.
- Pro Tip: Arrive on time and expect a mix of surprises, but don’t bank on specific items.
Captain Marden’s
- Experience: Captain Marden’s is a highlight, offering seafood lovers a chance to enjoy quality items like the fixings for Fish Tacos! The surprise factor is balanced by the consistent quality.
- Value: A $5 bag here can feel like a steal, with fresh and tasty seafood that would otherwise cost much more.
- Sustainability: Saving seafood from waste feels particularly rewarding.
- Pro Tip: Arrive on time.
Overall Impression
While Too Good to Go is a fantastic concept, the experience can vary by location. Café Nero in Wellesley left me disappointed with stale and uninspired offerings, but Whole Foods and Captain Marden’s provided better value and quality. It’s always a bit of a gamble, but when it works, it’s a win for your wallet and the planet.
Website: Too Good to Go
Final Rating:
- Café Nero: ⭐⭐
- Whole Foods: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
- Captain Marden’s: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
