Too Good To Go App for UK Van Lifers
Too Good To Go is an app that lets you buy unsold food from shops, cafés, and restaurants at a discount. For van lifers, it is a game-changer.
How It Works
Download the app. Search your location. Businesses list "Magic Bags" of surplus food — a bakery with leftover pastries, a café with unsold sandwiches, a supermarket with near-date stock. You pay £3-5 for the bag, collect it within a set time window, and get food worth £10-15.
Why Van Lifers Love It
- Cheap food (£3-5 for a meal's worth)
- Surprise bags mean variety (forces you to try new things)
- Reduces food waste (good for van life ethics)
- Works in any UK town
- Collecting a bag gives you a reason to visit a new place
Best Categories for Vans
- Bakeries: Greggs, Cooplands, local bakeries. A £3 Greggs Magic Bag typically contains 5-6 items (sausage rolls, doughnuts, sandwiches). Easy van food, no cooking needed.
- Supermarkets: Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys, Co-op. A £4 bag contains bread, fruit, vegetables, and sometimes ready meals. Good for restocking the van fridge.
- Cafés: Pret, Caffe Nero, local cafés. Sandwiches, wraps, pastries. Good for a zero-cook dinner.
- Restaurants: Some Indian, Chinese, and Italian restaurants offer bags. A £5 bag can be a full takeaway portion.
Tips for Van Lifers
- Check the collection time: Most bags are collected in the last hour of trading (3-5pm for bakeries, 7-9pm for supermarkets). Plan your day around it.
- Fridge space: Some bags are large. Have space ready in your van fridge.
- Doggy bags: Some bags are heavy — take a shopping bag.
- Rating system: Each business is rated. Only order from places with 4.0+ stars.
- Cancel policy: You can cancel up to 2 hours before collection.
- Allergies: The app lists allergen information. Check before ordering.
The Reality
Not every bag is amazing. Some are disappointing (three baked potatoes from a pub). Some are incredible (a £5 Morrisons bag with £25 of food). The average is about £10-12 worth of food for £3-4.
Verdict
Too Good To Go is worth having on your phone in every UK town. A £4 Morrisons bag every few days cuts your food budget by £20-30/week. Greggs bags are consistently good value. Avoid restaurant bags unless the rating is 4.5+.
