Loblaw sells mystery bags of surplus prepared food for as little as $12

Ontario shoppers can now buy prepared food at up to a 50 percent discount starting November 12. Loblaw Companies Limited announced a partnership with the Too Good To Go application to distribute surplus ready-to-eat items through its Real Canadian Superstore, Loblaws, and Zehrs banners. The initiative targets consumers looking to reduce grocery costs by purchasing meals that are nearing their best-before dates.

The program utilizes a free mobile application available for iOS and Android devices. Users access a map to locate participating stores and reserve a specific bag of food. Each bag contains approximately $24 worth of prepared items, such as roasted chicken and ready-to-eat meals. The price for these mystery bags starts at $11.99, though the specific contents vary daily based on store inventory.

Customers must pick up their reserved bags during a designated in-store collection window. The items are collected from the corresponding store department. Loblaw stated that no two bags are identical, as the selection depends on the specific surplus available at each location on that day. The goal is to move quality food to customers before it is discarded.

Jonathan Carroll, senior vice-president of Real Canadian Superstore operations at Loblaw, said the partnership helps consumers save money without compromising on value. Carroll noted that the collaboration is a step toward Loblaw's objective of sending zero food waste to landfill by 2030. He emphasized that finding more ways to connect customers with surplus food keeps it in people's hands instead of the trash.

Chris MacAulay, vice-president of North America operations for Too Good To Go, said the Loblaw partnership could substantially reduce food waste in Canada. In a release, MacAulay described the bags as a convenient option for individuals seeking dinner after a long day or families managing a strict budget. He stated that more Canadians now have access to a good meal for less through this local availability.

The discount program is available at participating Loblaw banner grocery stores across Canada, with the exception of Quebec and the Northwest Territories. The service allows for the reservation and purchase of available ready-to-eat surprise bags directly through the app interface.

The launch coincides with rising living wage rates in Ontario driven by food inflation. The Ontario Living Wage Network reported that food costs are the primary driver for this year's wage increases. The living wage in the Greater Toronto Area reached $27.60 per hour, an increase of 40 cents from $27.20 in 2025. This figure is $9.65 per hour higher than the provincial minimum wage, which rose to $17.95 on October 1.

Statistics Canada data released in October showed food prices rose 1.7 percent year-over-year in September, down from a 2.8 percent increase in August. While fresh vegetables saw a 2.9 percent price drop and sugar and confectionery fell by 2.7 percent, the agency noted that grocery prices have increased 33 percent since September 2020.