Imagine slashing your grocery bill by up to 60% while also helping to reduce food waste—sounds too good to be true, right? That’s exactly what I thought until I discovered FoodHero, an exciting new app that turns near-expiry groceries at Safeway and Sobeys into serious savings for smart shoppers like you.
Here’s how it works: when food items are approaching their best-before date, instead of tossing them out in the dumpster out back, these grocery stores list them on FoodHero. You can then purchase these items from the app and pick them up at a convenient time. This way, you get delicious food at a fraction of the cost and keep perfectly good food out of landfills. It’s a win-win!
Ready to dive in and start saving? Use my referral code tylerk6 to get an extra $5 off your first order! You can download the app here: https://foodhero.app.link.
My Experience Using FoodHero
While I haven’t yet snagged the elusive 60% discounts, I’ve still managed to save 50% on a variety of items like rib eye steaks, yogurt, hamburger patties, fettuccine, blueberry pie, and more!
The process is simple and user-friendly. After selecting my local store on the app, I browse through the listed items. The inventory updates twice daily—at 10 am and 3:30 pm—so I make sure to check at those times for the best selection.
The food is organized into categories like Meat & Poultry, Fish & Seafood, Dairy & Cheese, Fruits & Veggies, Bakery, and Meal Replacement (which are prepared meals like rice bowls and pasta dishes). When I find something I want, I just add it to my cart. And if I want to check what other stores have before finalizing my purchase, no problem—the app allows you to keep three separate carts open for different stores at once.
During the checkout process, you’ll choose a pickup time—these are typically available for same-day pickup unless you’re ordering later in the evening. Once your order is ready, you’ll receive an alert, and then you just head to the store. Look for a pickup zone sign, like the one pictured below. At the three stores I’ve visited, this sign has been located at customer service. Simply let them know you’re there to pick up your FoodHero order, and they’ll promptly retrieve it from the back for you.
My best find so far? A pair of rib eye steaks. I sous vided them straight from frozen, then gave them a quick sear in the evening. They turned out absolutely delicious!
Stats about your savings and environmental impact are conveniently displayed within the app. So far, I’ve saved $108.96, reduced carbon emissions by 1.77 kg, and diverted 9 kg of food waste from the landfill. Not too shabby!
Room for Improvement
Overall, I’ve been satisfied with most of my purchases, but there have been a few hiccups. Take, for instance, the chicken taco kit I bought—it was a bit of a letdown. The kit included tortilla shells, seasoned chicken, cheese, lettuce, salsa, and sour cream, all packaged together. The problem was that different components needed different reheating or defrosting methods. The chicken and tortillas reheated well in the microwave, while the cheese and lettuce thawed best at room temperature. Meanwhile, I had to defrost the salsa and sour cream in a bowl of warm water. This made the whole process more complicated than I’d hoped.
Another improvement I’d love to see is the ability to search for items across multiple stores in the area. Right now, you can only search within one store at a time. With two Sobeys and one Safeway close to my house, being able to search all three stores simultaneously would be super convenient.
My Final Take on FoodHero
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience with FoodHero and plan to make it a staple in my grocery routine. Why not give it a try yourself? Get the app here: https://foodhero.app.link And don’t forget to use my referral code tylerk6 for an extra $5 in food credits!
If you found this review helpful, be sure to check out my review of Sobeys’ and Safeway’s food delivery and pickup service, Voilà.
