Beyond the VAT Cut: 87% of Irish Consumers Still Changing Food Habits as Cost of Living Crisis Persists – A Too Good To Go survey shows
Too Good To Go Welcomes VAT Cut, Calls for Action to Turn €300m in Surplus Food Waste into Savings for Businesses and People
Too Good To Go, the world’s largest surplus food marketplace, welcomes the Government’s decision in Budget 2026 to reduce the VAT rate for the hospitality sector to nine per cent, but believes the next big opportunity to tackle is the estimated €300 million worth of food wasted every year across Ireland’s food service sector.
Too Good To Go is highlighting the continued need to tackle food waste across Ireland as recent research reveals that 87% of Irish people have had their food shopping habits affected by the rising cost of living, with an equal number (87%) now being more cautious about food waste specifically due to high grocery bills.*
“The VAT reduction is exactly the kind of smart, targeted support that gives our partners breathing room. But this is only half the equation” said Machaela O’Leary, Sales Manager at Too Good To Go Ireland. “Taking action on food waste would not only strengthen the industry’s resilience, but also help households struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.”
The appetite for smarter food solutions across the industry is clear: 57% of people say they’d be likely to use an app like Too Good To Go as prices rise*.
“While businesses are managing tight margins, tight household budgets mean consumers are also looking for ways to make every euro count,” O’Leary added. “Tackling food waste is a huge opportunity – not just for businesses, but for households to access affordable, delicious meals. Together, we can help people save money, reduce waste, and make a real difference for the planet.”
Too Good To Go connects businesses with surplus food to local consumers seeking affordable options. Cafes, bakeries, and supermarkets like ALDI Ireland offer Surprise Bags full of tasty goodies – helping households stretch their budgets and preventing good food from going to waste.
