With grocery prices climbing, many students are feeling the squeeze when it comes to affording even basic meals. Balancing classes, jobs and a social life can make it tempting and sometimes unavoidable to overspend on quick, convenient food. As the cost of living rises, finding affordable ways to eat has become a challenge that more college students are struggling to navigate.
Too Good To Go is a food-rescue app that sells “surprise” bags of leftover meals, baked goods and groceries from businesses at steep discounts. Users download the app, browse participating businesses nearby, reserve a surprise bag and pick it up during a designated time window. The contents vary day-to-day based on what’s left at closing, and typically cost a fraction of their original value, making it easy for students to score full meals on a tight budget. By rescuing food that would otherwise be thrown out, the app lets students save money, try new foods and reduce waste at the same time.
EveryPlate is a budget-friendly meal-kit service that delivers pre-portioned ingredients and simple recipes, making cooking approachable for students who live off-campus and have limited time or experience. Users select meals online and soon after receive a weekly box with all the ingredients needed to cook them. Recipes are designed to be quick, with minimal prep and basic kitchen tools. Through UNiDAYS and Student Beans, students can get 75% off their first box plus ongoing discounts on future deliveries. The service helps students save money, avoid last-minute takeout and learn basic cooking skills while keeping mealtime simple and predictable.
Misfits Market is an online grocery service that sells imperfect produce and overstock pantry items that might otherwise go unsold. Users build a customizable grocery box online from a rotating selection of produce, snacks and pantry staples. Orders are delivered to their door, often at prices below typical retail. The service offers third-party student discounts through UNiDAYS and Student Beans, also allowing students to save even more on organic, gluten-free and allergy-friendly options. Misfits Market lets students stretch their grocery budgets while accessing healthier, harder-to-find foods – all while helping reduce food waste in the supply chain.
Flipp is a free mobile savings app that helps users cut grocery costs and is ideal for students who prefer to shop for themselves. The app aggregates weekly ads and flyers from local stores, clips digital coupons to loyalty accounts and organizes personal shopping lists. Users can also search specific products or brands to compare prices across multiple stores. While the app itself doesn’t offer a student-specific discount, all features are free to use, making it accessible for tight budgets. This app can help students avoid overspending on everyday essentials.
These apps will help manage tight food budgets. From rescuing surplus meals to comparing grocery prices or getting ingredients delivered when time is short, each tool offers a different way to cut costs, though none is a complete fix for the rising price of food. Still, they can help students navigate a semester where eating well isn’t always affordable.
Copy edited by Mya DeJesus
Dining and Cooking