YOU could be wasting hundreds of pounds a year by not downloading handy money-saving food apps.
A typical family spends around £730 on food they end up throwing away, according to food waste app Kitche. Here, our top deals experts reveal which apps are worth downloading – and how much they could save you.
4
4
Around 70 percent of Brits agree food waste is “bad for the environment”, according to food campaigners WRAP.
And what’s more, it costs the average household hundreds of pounds a year.
But smartphone apps can help us reduce the amount of food we throw away.
Some apps, including Nosh, can keep a record of your supermarket receipts, while others will give you food at a discount or even for free.
Here is what you need to know to cut the cost of your supermarket shop.
Nosh – best for tracking expiry dates
Nosh is a smartphone app that can help you track the “Use By” and “Best Before” dates of all the items you buy in your weekly shop.
The app has a feature that can help you plan your weekly food shop ahead of time.
This means you never waste money buying items you already have at home.
Meanwhile, the “nosh shop” feature allows you to buy food, including groceries, from local shops and sellers at a discount.
You can also sell your own food that is near its use by date.
To use it simply download the app from the Apple, Android or Google App store and make an account.
Kitche – best to use with kids
Kitche is another app that can help you to track what food you already have at home.
You can input your receipt, scan products or use text or your voice to add items to the app.
I saved £744 on my food shop with a quick trick
SZIDONIA Stoia, 37, saves £744 a year on groceries thanks to a phone app.
The mum-of-one, who lives in Leicester, uses Too Good To Go regularly to save money on groceries at her local Aldi, as well as getting treats from Greggs and Yo Sushi.
The app allows customers to pick up food that would otherwise go to waste at a discount.
Szidonia said: “I found out about Too Good To Go from a friend who also volunteers for Olio.”
“I usually buy two bags a week as a top up for my weekly groceries.
“I normally buy them from Aldi, but occasionally buy a bag from Greggs or Yo Sushi as a treat.”
The young mum said she usually saves at least £30 on her weekly groceries.
She explains: “Food is expensive and we try to eat as healthily as possible.
“I have tried different types of food I wouldn’t have bought otherwise, like expensive beef and tuna steaks.”
“I usually buy the surprise boxes from Aldi at £3.30 each.”
She said the original value varies but the items are usually worth between £12 and £20 but can fetch even more.
She adds: “I get a great variety of food, including bread and bakery items, meat, fruit and veg.
“Most of the items last longer than the date on them, especially vegetables, and meat and fish can be frozen as well.”
The app will then categorise the products and add reminders for you.
When you’re out and about you can use the app to move products between the ‘to buy’, ‘at home’ and ‘ditched’ lists.
You can also use the app to find thousands of recipes that can be made with the items you already have at home.
Among the ones on offer are a ricotta, tomato and spinach frittata and sticky tempeh, mango and lime noodles.
The app is designed with children in mind and the recipes are all kid-friendly.
To sign up for the app just use your Facebook, Google or Apple details to create an account.
You can also sign up with your email and password.
Shopmium – best for cashback
Shopmium is an app that can help you get exclusive discounts and offers on your everyday purchases when you shop in store or online.
Just download it from the Apple, Android or Google Play store and set up an account.
Holly Jay-Smith, who runs the blog Coupon Queen, explains: “Shopmium is the one I always recommend people start with.
“It’s really user-friendly and there are often freebies and decent discounts on branded items.
“You just buy the product in store, scan the item and receipt at home, and get the money back via PayPal or bank transfer.
“I regularly save around £20 to £30 a week just using these apps.”
That adds up to around £360 over the course of a year.
Olio – best for free food
You could find food that is near its expiry date for free on the sharing app Olio.
The items are listed by people in your area and the idea is someone local to you will pick it up.
Everything in the app is free, apart from the “made” section, where you can get your hands on local homemade food.
We’ve previously revealed how you can get free food using the Olio app.
Be aware that the app can be a bit hit and miss, Deepak Tailor, CEO and founder of Latest Free Stuff, warns.
He said: “Olio is great but sometimes it runs out of stuff really fast.
“I’ve gone to pick up items that were free, but they had run out before I got there. Meanwhile, a lot of the time when I ask for more information about an item, I either don’t get a reply or it’s gone off.”
But he adds that sometimes he has had whole platters of food arrive, so it can be a big hit.
The app is free and can be downloaded from the Android, Apple App or Google Play stores.
Too Good To Go – best for surprise deals
This app is the world’s leading marketplace for surplus food.
It works by allowing restaurants and bakeries to list items they would otherwise throw away at a discount.
For example, a bakery may list a bread bundle for £3 – saving you £9.
All items are sold as “surprise bags” so you never know what is inside.
But most of these bags cost between £2 and £6, meaning you’ll get good food at a significant discount.
Once you have downloaded the app you simply swipe through to see what restaurants and cafes are offering.
Next confirm your choice, reserve the food and pay through the app.
Then simply head to the shop at the specified pick up time, swipe the app and enjoy your food.
Mary-Alexander-Grout, who runs the blog Mad About Money, said: “You can grab surplus food from supermarkets, cafes and restaurants for a fraction of the cost (or even free).”
Deepak Tailor says that the exact amount of food you get can depends on the staff in the restaurant, as this is often left to their discretion.
This means that sometimes you may get a better deal than others.
To download it visit the Apple App, Android or Google Play stores.
Common food mistakes YOU could be making
YOU could be wasting hundreds of pounds a year by making these common food mistakes.
Shopping without a loyalty card
Most supermarkets now offer discounts and deals to customers who are part of their loyalty programmes.
But forgetting your card or leaving it at home could add around £5 to your bill.
A weekly shop of 75 branded and own-label groceries costs shoppers with a Tesco Clubcard £142.36, according to consumer group Which?.
But those who do not swipe their loyalty card would be charged £145.01 for the same shop – £2.65 more.
A Sainsbury’s shopper with a Nectar card would be charged £144.75 for the same items.
But leaving the card at home would see them pay £4.27 more for the same shop.
Buying items at eye level
When in the aisles at the supermarket it can be easy to only pick up items at eye level.
But many of the budget items are kept on lower shelves.
Buying branded items could be costing you ten times the price of the budget alternative, Which? warns.
Always compare the price per unit, rather than the label price, to make sure you are getting the lowest price.
Throwing away food early
You could be wasting hundreds of pounds a year by throwing away perfectly good food.
Confusing food labels cost households up to £450 a year, according to food-saving app Too Good To Go.
One way shoppers waste perfectly good food is by not understanding the difference between “use-by” and “best before” dates.
Never ignore the “Use-By” date as doing so could expose you to harmful bacteria including Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
Always throw away fresh meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and bagged salad that is past its use-by date.
But there is a bit more leeway when it comes to the “Best Before” date.
This is simply when the manufacturer says the item is past its peak quality.
After this point your biscuits or crisps may be soft but they are still safe to eat.
4
4
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
