New Goodie Bag App is Taking Off in Colorado For Good Reasons

A shocking statistic says that with every second that goes by, 52 tons of food is thrown out in America. In fact, between restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores across the country, 100-150 billion pounds of food is wasted every year before reaching a consumer - making up 40 percent of all food produced in the U.S.

Earlier this year, two Coloradans came up with a solution to help combat this alarming amount of food waste in America. Together, CU Boulder graduates Eddy Connors and Luke Siegert developed and launched a new app called Goodie Bag.

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The platform allows consumers to purchase unsold food from local eateries at a discount of 50 percent or more. While accessible to individuals of all ages and circumstances, the service is particularly helpful for college students, who may have a tough time affording food while in school.

In addition to reducing food waste and food insecurity, Goodie Bag simultaneously supports local, small businesses in Colorado. A perk for participating restaurants and stores is that they are able to salvage revenue from their surplus.

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The service began in Boulder with just one pizzeria. Soon enough, several other Boulder establishments joined in. Now, the concept is beginning to take off throughout Colorado, including in Fort Collins and Denver.

Since the app's debut in January 2023, Goodie Bag has already diverted over 2,500 meals from the landfill. More than thirty restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and markets are now partners as well.

But what exactly do customers get inside these goodie bags?

The Bread Chic in Fort Collins states on its page that their offerings on Goodie Bag “may contain bread, pie, croissants, cinnamon rolls, cookies or other pastries.” According to Denver Westword, an example of the bakery's large bag included a whole loaf of sourdough, a five-inch Palisade peach pie, and a seven-inch strawberry rhubarb pie — all for $6. What a great deal!

Another example is meal kits that typically sell for $29 at a market in Boulder, being offered on Goodie Bag for just $7.

As the app expands, other familiar Colorado eateries, such as Torchy's Tacos, The Post Chicken and Beer, and the Colorado Kolache Company have signed up as partners.

Goodie Bag can be downloaded through Google Play or in the Apple App Store.