Whole Foods Market has dramatically expanded its initiative to tackle food waste while helping customers stretch their grocery budgets, announcing a nationwide rollout of discounted "Surprise Bags" across all its US locations.
New Discount Categories Launch Nationwide
Beginning Wednesday 12 November 2025, the upmarket grocery chain is expanding its partnership with food waste reduction app Too Good To Go to introduce seven new categories of surplus food bags. This initiative allows shoppers to purchase groceries approaching their sell-by dates at approximately one-third of their regular retail price.
Each Surprise Bag contains a rotating selection of items from different departments, depending on what remains available at the end of each day. The number of bags offered will vary daily by store, based on surplus inventory levels.
Substantial Savings Across Multiple Departments
Shoppers can now choose from several specifically curated bags offering significant savings:
- Produce Bag: Mixed fruits and vegetables for $6.99 (valued at approximately $21)
- Meat & Seafood Bags: Each priced at $9.99 for around $30 worth of products
- Dry Grocery Bag: Pantry staples including pasta, grains and snacks for $6.99 ($21 value)
- Frozen Grocery Bag: Frozen meals and ingredients at $6.99 ($21 value)
- Refrigerated Bag: Dairy, deli and grab-and-go items for $6.99 ($21 value)
- Floral Bag: Bouquets and arrangements available for $7.99 (worth about $24)
How the Surprise Bag Scheme Works
Customers using the Too Good To Go app can search for participating Whole Foods locations, reserve and pay for their chosen category of Surprise Bag, then collect it during a specified time window. While shoppers know the general category of their purchase beforehand, the exact contents remain a mystery until collection.
The programme expansion arrives during a period of significant financial pressure for many American households. Millions relying on SNAP benefits have faced nearly three weeks without assistance after the Trump administration halted the programme during the federal shutdown. The Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to require the government to resume full funding, though the House could vote as soon as Wednesday on legislation to end the shutdown and restore November benefits.
Too Good To Go, which now operates across all 50 states, partners with numerous major brands including Krispy Kreme, 7-Eleven, Circle K, and IKEA in its mission to reduce food waste while providing affordable options to consumers.
