It’s a new look and an even greener stance for Grimsby Garden Centre after reopening its popular café this month, becoming North East Lincolnshire’s first independent business to team up with food app with a conscience Too Good To Go.
Helping to prevent surplus food from going to waste, the new partnership means food that hasn’t sold will be available to Too Good To Go users to rescue.
Every year, the hospitality industry wastes over one million tonnes of surplus food. Too Good To Go lets people buy surplus food from restaurants, cafes, retailers and producers to stop it going to waste simply by downloading the app and searching for nearby businesses with unsold food.
Users can purchase ‘magic bags’ via the app to collect and enjoy at an allotted time but don’t know what is inside the bag until they pick it up. An added surprise.
Owned by leading NHS mental health services provider NAViGO, Grimsby Garden Centre know first hand how good food and good drink can do good, with all their profits going back into the upkeep of the centre and local services.
NAViGO head of commercial services Jo Keen said: “We’re really focussed on ensuring that no edible food goes to waste.
“Too Good To Go makes it easily available to local people at a reduced price.
“Not only is that better for the environment but it also means more people get to enjoy food that may otherwise have been thrown away.”
Grimsby Garden Centre is currently undergoing a major redevelopment which has seen its popular café reopen as The Potting Shed, doubling in size and introducing outdoor wooden booths and a garden.
Future phases will see the introduction of an eco-friendly green barn and a unique independent shopping village made from repurposed shipping containers.
Jo continued: “As you’d expect from a garden centre, we’ve got a genuine focus on improving our environmental impact.
“Our transformation plans will see the introduction of eco-friendly buildings, we’re introducing electric car charging points, and we’re supporting the new generation of gardeners through our Grow With Us schools project.”
As well as being the first independent eatery to sign up to the app in North East Lincolnshire, the Potting Shed offers 10% discounts to all NHS, armed forces, emergency services and North East Lincolnshire Council employees as well as a free drink to the local lifeboat crew who’ve been out on a shout.