One positive way to help the planet — and local businesses — is in the palm of your hands and on your phone.

With the Too Good To Go app,you can save perfectly good food(and sometimes flowers and more)from going to waste.At the same time,you could score some serious bargains.

The easy-to-use app connects customers with local bakeries,restaurants,cafes,and shops that have surplus products at the end of the day or sometimes midday.Rather than throwing that food away,businesses package it into discounted “Surprise Bags” and sell them through the app.

Here’s how it works:

1.Once you’ve installed Too Good To Go,you allow it to use your location so it can show nearby participating businesses.

2.Use the searchable map to find specific restaurants,bakeries or shops in your area.You can view ratings,basic information and often photos or descriptions.

3.If there are places you especially love,add them to your favorites tab.This curates your own personal view of the app and makes it easier to see offers that match your tastes.

4.Enable alerts so you’ll know the moment your favorite businesses release a new Surprise Bag.Bags can go quickly,especially at popular spots.

5.Each listing clearly shows when you need to pick up your bag.The window is often right before closing,but not always,so it’s crucial to double-check.You must collect your prepaid items within that timeframe.

If you can’t make it,please cancel at least two hours in advance so someone else can save the bag from going to waste.If you don’t show up and don’t cancel,you’ll still be charged.

Hint:You can always use the “Ask a Friend”feature in the app to have your order picked up by someone else.

6.When you see an offer you like,tap “reserve” to claim it.Payment is handled directly in the app(Apple Pay,credit card,etc.).Once confirmed,your spot is saved.

7.At pickup,a staff member will ask you to show your app and swipe to confirm.Depending on the business,your bag may already be packed and ready to grab,or you may choose from several plain bags waiting at the counter.

A big part of the appeal is baked right into the name:Surprise Bag.

Instead of ordering a specific pastry,entree or bouquet,you’re trusting the business to curate a selection from their surplus.

For people who struggle to decide what to order,this can be a relief.For the adventurous,it’s like a mini mystery box.

Often,the savings are substantial.Many Surprise Bags are priced at around one-third of the regular cost of the items inside.

Floral Concepts – Houston,5606 Parkersburg Dr.in the Southwest Management District,is on the app regularly offering bags or,in this case,bouquets.

One “Large Surprise Bag” cost $22.55,including tax,on a recent visit and included a mixed selection of fresh flowers that lasted for days.A smaller option,just $4.99 before tax and $5.40 total,made for a lovely last-minute hostess gift.

The app itself makes money by charging set annual fees to participating restaurants and shops.

In the Southwest District alone,new businesses keep popping up on the platform,including bakeries such asLecaroz Bakeryat 5990 Renwick Dr.andKing Star Seafood Buffetat 6223 Bellaire Blvd.

Mandi Express,at 804 Sharpstown Center,was recently offering feel-good menu items such as Halal Butter Chicken and Chicken Curry.

And don’t forget the tea!Kung Fu Tea,9889 Bellaire Blvd.,is a popular local business on the app featuring surprise bags with tea and tea toppings.

For these establishments,Too Good To Go is both a revenue stream and a sustainability tool.

Bakeries like Lecaroz regularly have end-of-day pastries that are still perfectly fresh and delicious.Instead of throwing them away,they package them for pickup at a steep discount.

With just a bit of planning and a few clicks,take a chance to be pleasantly surprised by a new place.And,while you’re at it,stretch your food budget and help reduce waste in your community.

Check out what’s on offer today:https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-us.

— Dorothy Puch Lillig