Get surplus food from S'pore bakeries & restaurants at 50% off usual price via this food waste-saving app

In a land of self-proclaimed foodies, food waste is a pressing issue in Singapore.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), food waste accounted for 11 per cent of the total waste generated in 2023.

Despite efforts to encourage recycling, food waste recycling levels have remained at around 18 per cent over the past five years.

How then, can we reduce the amount of food that's thrown away?

Enter food surplus platforms like JustDabao and treatsure, which offer a variety of surplus food at a fraction of its usual price, whilst reducing food waste.

A relatively new contender to this space is Yindii.

How Yindii works

Founded in 2020, the application launched in Singapore in August 2024, and is currently operational in Hong Kong and Thailand too.

Instead of letting unsold food go to waste, businesses can create "surprise bags" which consumers can pick up at the end of the day.

To encourage uptake, these "too-good-to-go" bags are often sold for 50 to 80 per cent of their usual price.

Yindii currently partners with over 50 bakeries and cafes including Delifrance, SaladStop, and Baker & Cook. Users can then grab surprise bags of leftover bakes, meals, and even groceries.

Currently, Yindii also partners with restaurants like The Blue Tiffin to offer "buffet-in-a-box" options, as well as with eateries like OK Chicken Rice.

For example, you can get items from Baker and Cook from as low as S$11 (valued at S$22) or a surprise salad bowl from SaladStop! for S$8.25 (valued at S$16).

Our experience

Mothership decided to try the app out by ordering a S$15 surprise bag from French patisserie PAUL Bakery.

While they have a few outlets, we opted to purchase it from its outlet at Paragon Shopping Centre, as they have an earlier collection time of 9pm to 9:30pm.

Its other outlet at Takashimaya, similarly located in Orchard, only allows collection between 10pm to 10:30pm.

Its a small detail to note, but an important one to ensure you're able to collect your bag. The food will go to waste if uncollected.

First, you'll need to place an order on the Yindii app.

Those with allergies or dietary restrictions can include a note while placing your order.

Collection day

When we reached Paragon to collect our order, three other surprise bags were waiting to be collected.

The collection process was smooth — simply show the staff the order from your phone, and indicate on the app that you've collected it.

Speaking to Mothership, John, another Yindii user collecting his bag at the same time, said that it was not his first time ordering from Paul's.

"It has become a weekly treat of sorts," he said, adding that he usually receives five to six bakes per bag. "I tend to order it on Fridays, for breakfast over the weekend".

A peek at the bakes

The bag we received contained nine different bakes, including tarts, croissants, and even a baguette.

Although the app indicated that the original estimated price of the bakes was twice as much (S$30), cross-checking with PAUL's menu led us to believe that the bakes were actually worth around S$50 in total.

What a steal — that's an estimated $35 in savings.

Of course, as it's a surprise bag, you might receive items that may not suit your fancy.

Assuming that each bag had at least seven bakes, and at least five surprise bags are prepared daily, a minimum of 35 bakes are thrown away from a single outlet.

Multiply that across other similar bakeries, and the amount of food wasted is startling.

The app also showed me that "rescuing" this particular bag of bakes allowed me to save 2.5kg of carbon dioxide.

Surprise bags sell out fast

Speaking to Mothership, Yindii's co-founder, Mahima Rajangam Natarajan, shared that reactions have been positive.

"In just four months, over 100,000 users have joined the Yindii community [through organic downloads]," shared Natarajan.

"By September, 90 per cent of all surplus food listed on the app was being rescued daily," explained Natarajan.

When asked why the concept of having a surprise bag was chosen, Natarajan shared that the model was "highly effective" in simplifying operations for merchants whilst keeping it "enjoyable and engaging" for users.

"With rising costs of living, including food and rent, many people are seeking affordable alternatives," explained Natarajan, adding that Singaporeans are also becoming increasingly eco-conscious and keen to adopt sustainable practices.

In fact, reactions have been almost overwhelming — Natarajan added that users have expressed feedback about the "limited availability" of food on the app due to "how quickly the surplus food was being saved".

Moving forward, it aims to collaborate with hotels to reduce surplus from buffets and coffee lounge catering services.

Top image from Natalie Ong